New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that four multi-tracking projects that have been approved by the Cabinet will provide a major boost to railway infrastructure and connectivity across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
These projects will have many benefits, like strengthening passenger and freight movement, reducing congestion and greater logistics efficiency. The better connectivity will also facilitate commerce and tourism in these states, PM Modi said in a post on X.
The multi-tracking projects will add important capacity to the Indian Railways network and benefit lakhs of people, he added.
The projects, which entail a total investment of Rs 9,450 crore, will be completed by 2030-31.
The projects include the Kharagpur – Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th Line across a stretch of 173 km covering West Bengal and Odisha; the second project is a 4th line from Bhadrak to Haridaspur across 75 km in Odisha, while the third is the Gummidipundi – Gudur 3rd and 4th line extending across a distance of 90 km in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The fourth project is the Cuttack to Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th lines to cover a 72 km route in Odisha.
The projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a New India, which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance employment opportunities, a statement said.
The projects are planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.
The four projects covering eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 410 kms. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages with a population of about 60 lakhs.
The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali temple, Maa Dhamarai temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari–Udaypur and Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri, a Buddhist site.
The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and food grains.
(IANS)
