The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Friday approved eight new railway projects.Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved eight projects of the Ministry of Railways with an estimated cost of around Rs 24,657 crore. “ The eight major new railway line route projects approved by the Union Cabinet include Gunupur- Therubali (New Line), Junagarh- Nabrangpur, Badampahar- Kandujhargarh, Bangriposi- Gorumahisani, Malkangiri- Pandurangapuram (via Bhadrachalam), Buramara- Chakulia, Jalna- Jalgaon, and Bikramshila- Katareah,”
The government has said these projects will increase connectivity, ease travel, reduce oil imports, and reduce carbon emissions.
Informing reporters about the Cabinet decision, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the proposed projects will improve logistics efficiency and improve the transport network by connecting unconnected areas. This will streamline the supply chain and boost economic growth. He said the total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 24,657 crore.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said that these projects are in line with PM Modi’s Vision of a new India, which will make people of the region “Atamnirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities. The minister added that these railway routes will not only bring economic benefits but also bring employment opportunities.
According to the government, with these projects, 64 new stations will be constructed, providing enhanced connectivity to six aspirational districts- East Singhbum, Bhadadri Kothagudem, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada- approximately 510 villages and about four million population.
“ Ajanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be connected to the Indian Railway Network, facilitating a large number of tourists,” the statement added.
These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminum powder, granite, ballast, containers, etc.
The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 143 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). The railways being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics costs for the country, reduce oil imports (32.20 crore liters), and lower CO2 emissions (0.87 million tonnes), which is equivalent to plantations of 3.5 crore trees.
The Union Minister said that these projects will reduce carbon emissions by 767 crore kilograms. This is equivalent to planting 30 crore trees.
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