Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday approved three multitracking projects covering 12 districts across the states of Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 389 kilometres. The total estimated cost of the projects is around 18,509 crore rupees and will be completed up to 2030-31. These projects include Kasara – Manmad 3rd and 4th line, Delhi – Ambala 3rd and 4th line, and Ballari – Hosapete 3rd and 4th line.
The projects will also generate direct employment for about 265 lakh human-days during construction. This initiative will improve travel convenience, reduce logistic cost, decrease oil imports and contribute to lower carbon dioxide emissions, supporting sustainable and efficient rail operations. The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
CCEA also approved construction of four-Lane Access-Controlled Greenfield connectivity from Assam’s Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on 715 section. This includes 15.79 kilometres of Road cum Rail Tunnel under River Brahmaputra. The project will be developed at a total capital cost of 18,662 crore rupees. It will enhance multi-modal integration by connecting with 11 Economic Nodes, three Social Nodes, two Tourist nodes and eight Logistic Nodes, providing enhanced connectivity with four major railway stations, two airports, and two inland waterways.
Upon completion, the project will play a pivotal role in strategic considerations, regional economic growth, strengthening connectivity between major economic centers and opening new avenues for trade and industrial development. The project will also generate approximately 80 Lakhs person-days of direct and indirect employment, and will open new avenues of growth, development and prosperity in surrounding regions.
Government also gave its nod to Widening of National Highway-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor to 4-Lane Standard in Telangana with a total project length of 80.01 kilometres and total capital cost of 3175.08 crore rupees. The project will provide seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Telangana.
CCEA has also approved rehabilitation and upgradation of Ghoti – Trimbak (Mokhada) – Jawhar – Manor – Palghar section of NH-160A to two Lane /four Lane with a total capital cost of over 3320 crore rupees in Maharashtra. Government has approved upgradation of Dhamasiya-Bitada/ Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha Sections of National Highway-56 to Four-Lane Standard in Gujarat at a total capital cost of over 4583 crore rupees.
