New Delhi, 18 April (H.S.): The Union Cabinet has approved two major multi‑tracking railway projects in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of ₹24,815 crore, which will augment the existing Indian Railways network by about 601 km and enhance operational efficiency across high‑density corridors.

The decision, taken under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), aims to ease congestion, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen multimodal connectivity under the PM‑Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the move at a press briefing here on Saturday.

The first project involves the construction of a third and fourth line along the 403 km Ghaziabad–Sitapur section, with an estimated outlay of ₹14,926 crore. This corridor forms part of the Delhi–Guwahati high‑density network, where track utilisation has already reached around 168% and is projected to exceed 200% in the coming years if left unexpanded.

The new lines will run through densely trafficked stretches that currently face heavy pressure from both passenger and freight trains. The project will also include the development of new railway stations to improve last‑mile connectivity and support growing urban and industrial demand in the region, including hubs like Ghaziabad, Moradabad, and Bareilly.

Authorities expect the project to significantly increase freight‑handling capacity, easing the movement of key commodities such as coal, foodgrains, and steel, while saving thousands of crores of rupees annually in logistics costs and generating employment over several human‑days.

The second project, worth ₹9,889 crore, will lay a third and fourth line on the 198 km Rajamundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) stretch, one of the busiest rail corridors in the country. Track utilisation here has already crossed 130%, prompting the need for immediate capacity augmentation to avoid operational bottlenecks.

Key infrastructure components include a 4.3 km long multi‑span rail bridge over the Godavari River, along with several large and small bridges, underpasses, and elevated track sections. The project is a crucial part of the Howrah–Chennai high‑density corridor and will greatly improve rail links between the eastern coastal ports, including Visakhapatnam and other industrial centres along the coast.

This will not only boost freight movement for export‑oriented industries and port‑linked manufacturing, but also support faster, more reliable passenger services between major urban nodes.

The government estimates that these two projects will together reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by millions of kilograms, as shifting cargo from road to rail improves energy efficiency and lowers the emissions‑intensity of freight transport.

Easing congestion on the rail network is also expected to cut logistics costs, improve supply‑chain reliability, and increase the competitiveness of Indian industries.

Additionally, the expanded network will enhance connectivity to religious and tourist destinations, giving a fillip to local economies and hospitality sectors. The projects are planned within the PM‑Gati Shakti framework, emphasising integrated, multimodal planning and close consultation with state governments and industry stakeholders. They are targeted for completion by 2030–31 and are projected to create large‑scale employment during construction while laying the groundwork for higher‑value industrial and logistics growth in the two states.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar