New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved four multi-tracking railway projects covering 18 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh with a cost of approximately Rs 24,634 crore.

The projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 894 km and help in providing seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services, an official statement said.

These projects are 3rd and 4th line between Wardha and Bhusawal covering 314 km in Maharashtra; an 84 km 4th line between Gondia and Dongargarh in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh; 259 km 3rd and 4th line between Vadodara - Ratlam in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh; and 4th line covering 84 km distance of Itarsi-Bhopal- Bina in Madhya Pradesh.

"The approved multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approximately 3,633 villages, which have a population of about 85.84 lakh and two Aspirational Districts (Vidisha and Rajnandgaon),” the statement said.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while briefing the media persons, said that the increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways.

He said that these multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion.

“The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision of a New India which will make the people of the region 'Aatmanirbhar' by way of comprehensive development in the area that will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities,” the statement said.

"The projects are planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services,” it said.

Highlighting their benefits for the tourism sector, Vaishnaw said that these upcoming projects will provide connectivity to prominent destinations such as Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Rock shelter of Bhimbetka, Hazara falls and Nawegaon National Park, attracting tourists from across the country.

The Railway Minister also outlined the benefits to freight traffic and said, “This is an essential route for transportation of commodities such as coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grain, steel, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 78 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).” “The Railways, being an environmentally friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (28 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (139 crore kg) which is equivalent to plantation of six crore trees,” he added. PTI SKC JP RT

Rail infrastructure expansion approved to boost connectivity, freight capacity and multimodal logistics under national master planning. Cabinet approval authorises four multi-tracking railway projects adding about 894 km across four states to increase line capacity and operational reliability, integrate with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for enhanced multimodal connectivity, and improve movement of people, goods and services while reducing congestion.