INDIA’s Union Cabinet has approved four projects to build 565km of new line or provide new track on existing routes in the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam. The projects will cost a combined Rs 123.3bn ($US 1.5bn).
The sole new line project runs for 145km in Gujarat’s Kutch region from the existing railhead at Deshalpar via Hajipir to the coastal town of Lakhpat. The Rs 25.3bn project is targeted for completion in three years and is expected to facilitate the transport of salt, cement, coal, clinker, and bentonite. The line will also have 13 stations.
The remaining three projects that have been approved are to provide additional tracks on existing lines, including the 173km Secundrabad (Sanathnagar) - Wadi line, where work is due for completion within five years at a cost of Rs 50.1bn.
The Bhagalpur - Jamalpur section in Bihar will be widened to three tracks at cost of Rs 11.6bn, with completion expected in three years. The 194km Furkating - New Tinsukia line in Assam will be tripled for Rs 36.3bn. Work is targeted for completion in four years.
Together, the multitracking projects are expected to boost freight volumes by 68 million tonnes per year, and will boost the transport of coal, cement, clinker, flyash, steel, containers, fertilizers, agricultural commodities, and petroleum products.
The projects are included in the prime minister, Narendra Modi’s Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
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