From Bengal to Tamil Nadu: Railways gets nod for 410 km new tracks

The Union Cabinet has approved four Railway multi-tracking projects covering around 410 km across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with a combined investment of approximately Rs 9,450 crore.

The projects, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are aimed at increasing line capacity, easing congestion and improving the movement of passengers and freight across key routes.

Four Railway projects approved

The approved works include a 173-km fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital) in West Bengal and Odisha, a 75-km fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha, and 90 km of third and fourth lines between Gummidipundi and Gudur in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Also Read | Delhi IGI airport enters world’s top 15 busiest airports, beats Seoul and Paris

The fourth project covers a 72-km stretch between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha, involving third and fourth lines.

Together, the projects will expand the existing railway network by about 410 km and cover eight districts. According to the government, the new lines will improve connectivity to around 6,448 villages with a combined population of nearly 60 lakh.

Kharagpur-Bhadrak line to get major bridges

Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Kharagpur-Bhadrak project will expand the rail network along Odisha’s coast.

"The Cabinet has approved the Kharagpur to Bhadrak project. It goes via Baleshwar and down to Rupsa; after Rupsa, down to Bhadrak. This is complete along the entire coast of Odisha. This is a line going along the coast. This line is now being made into four lines between Kharagpur and Bhadrak... Two mega bridges will be built. 41 major bridges will be built, and 169 minor bridges will be built... The total project length is 173 kilometre, and the cost of the project will be Rs 3352 crores..."

Freight, tourism and logistics to benefit

The projects are expected to improve rail access to tourist destinations such as Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Talsari-Udaypur, Lalitgiri and several temples.

The routes are also important for transporting coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles and food grains. The government expects the capacity expansion to support an additional 76 million tonnes of freight traffic annually.

Also Read | 7 new Amrit Bharat Express trains are coming — check if your city is on the list

The projects have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on integrated transport and logistics connectivity.

The Railways said the additional capacity could also reduce logistics costs, cut oil imports by around 13 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by around 65 crore kg, equivalent to the plantation of 2.60 crore trees.