The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two Railway Ministry projects worth… $Rs 4,474 crore. The projects include Line 4 from Cynthia-Bakur and Santrajashi-Kharagpur.
The increase in line capacity is aimed at significantly enhancing mobility, leading to improved operational efficiency and service reliability of Indian Railways, a government statement said. She also said the two multi-lane proposals would streamline operations and ease congestion.
“The two projects, covering five districts across West Bengal and Jharkhand, will augment the existing Indian Railways network by about 192 km. The approved multi-track project will enhance connectivity to about 5,652 villages, with a population of about 147,000,” a government statement said.
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It said the proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple (Shaktipeeth), Tarapith (Shaktipeeth), Pattachitra Gram, Dadhika Forest, Bemband Wildlife Sanctuary and Rameshwar Kund.
The approved projects are essential routes for transporting commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, food grains, urine and containers.
“The capacity augmentation works will result in an additional freight movement of 31 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Railways, being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, will help achieve climate targets and reduce the logistics cost of the country, reduce oil imports (6 crore litres) and reduce carbon dioxide emissions (28 crore kg) which is equivalent to planting one crore trees,” the statement read.
She said the projects have been planned as per the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
The Cabinet also approved declaring Madurai Airport as an international airport, one of the oldest airports in Tamil Nadu which serves as a crucial gateway to southern Tamil Nadu and plays a pivotal role in promoting tourism and pilgrimage.
“Elevating Madurai Airport to international status would enhance regional connectivity, boost trade and drive economic development in the region. The airport’s ability to attract pilgrims and international businesses is in keeping with the historical importance of the city,” the government said.
