The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved 8 multi-track railway projects in Tamil Nadu and eight states, at an estimated cost of Rs. 20,804 crore.
A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held in Delhi. At the meeting, approval was granted for 8 multi-track railway projects, including 3 projects in Tamil Nadu, at a total estimated cost of Rs. 20,804 crore.
In the southern states...: Of these, approval has been given for 5 multi-track railway projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 10,021 crore in 4 southern states—Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
The projects include laying a 3rd and 4th railway line over a distance of 77 km between Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu and Renigunta in Andhra Pradesh, laying a double line over a distance of 147 km between Hosur and Omalur, and laying a double line over a distance of 159 km between Salem, Karur, and Dindigul.
Furthermore, the plans include setting up a 3rd and 4th railway line over a distance of 47 km between Whitefield and Bangarpet in Karnataka capital Bengaluru, and multi-track railway lines over a distance of 110 km between Secunderabad and Kazipet in Telangana. These projects will be implemented across 17 districts in the four states mentioned above. The Union government’s press release stated that the new railway lines will increase the railway department’s operational efficiency and passengers’ confidence in the reliability of services.
Tourist destinations that will benefit: Through new railway line projects in the southern states, rail transport will improve to major tourist destinations including Hogenakkal Waterfalls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal hill region, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, Namakkal Fort, Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Yadagirigutta Temple, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri, Swarnagiri Temple, Tirupati Ezhumalaiyan Temple, Thiruthani Murugan Temple, Tiruchanur Padmavathi Thayar Temple, Kolar Kotilingeshwara Temple, and the Kolar gold mine areas.
Moreover, it will help expand the existing railway infrastructure by 540 km. It will improve transport connectivity for 2,121 rural areas with a population of about 5.2 million.
Since railways are an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, this will help achieve the country’s climate goals, handle freight efficiently, and reduce transportation costs.
In five more states...: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved 3 multi-tracking railway projects in five states—West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh—at an estimated cost of Rs. 10,783 crore.
Approval has been granted for 3 projects: the 4th line between Kharagpur in West Bengal and Jharsuguda in Odisha, the 4th line between Katni in Madhya Pradesh and Bendra Road in Chhattisgarh, and the 3rd line between Bilaspur and Bendra Road in Chhattisgarh.
Through these projects, the railway network’s existing infrastructure will increase by 656 km; rail connectivity will improve for 4,790 villages across 14 districts, covering 5.6 million people. In addition, tourist destinations such as the Taradharani Temple, Pandav Nagar Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jiwaleshwar Temple, and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple will benefit. The government press release stated that all 8 projects will be completed by 2029-30.
Connectivity will be strengthened: Prime Minister Modi
In a post on X regarding the Union Cabinet’s decision, Prime Minister Modi said, “The 8 multi-tracking railway projects approved by the Union Cabinet, with an estimated cost of over Rs. 20,800 crore, will strengthen connectivity, ensure faster passenger transport, and reduce freight transportation costs. They will help promote heritage and forest-area tourism. Millions of people will benefit.”
