The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two multi-track railway projects worth Rs 24,815 crore covering Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, with the aim of decongesting and boosting freight and passenger movement, a government statement said.The two projects – Line III and IV Ghaziabad-Sitapur, and Rajahmundry (Nidadavulu) Line III and IV Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) – are scheduled to be completed by 2030-31. Together, they will add about 601 km to the Indian railway network.“The increase in line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability of Indian Railways,” the statement said.The projects, planned under the National Master Plan PM-Gati Shakti, will cover 15 districts in the two states and seek to improve multi-modal connectivity and logistical efficiency.The Ghaziabad-Sitapur project spans 403 km, has a track length of 859 km, and has an estimated cost of Rs 14,926 crore. It passes through major districts including Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and Sitapur. Six new stations have been proposed on the bypass sections to decongest the congested nodes.The Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam project covers 198 km and track length is 458 km at a cost of Rs 9,889 crore. It will improve connectivity to ports like Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Machilipatnam and Kakinada.
The government said the projects will improve access to tourist destinations including Dudeshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Naimisharanya, Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam.He added that the two projects are expected to reduce logistical costs, generate employment opportunities, and reduce carbon emissions by 180.31 lakh crore kg – equivalent to planting 7.33 lakh trees.