Cabinet approves Rs 3,907-Cr railway capacity expansion projects in Odisha, Jharkhand
New Delhi, July 15 (TNT): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two railway capacity expansion projects worth about ₹3,907 crore in Odisha and Jharkhand to improve freight movement and decongest the rail network.
The approved projects are the doubling of the Paradeep-Haridaspur rail line in Odisha and the construction of a fourth line between Rajkharsawan and Dangoaposi in Jharkhand.
The projects, covering four districts across the two states, will add about 145 km to the Indian Railways network.
The government said the projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning.
According to the government, the projects will improve connectivity for around 1,526 villages with a combined population of about 14 lakh.
The enhanced rail infrastructure is also expected to improve connectivity to tourist destinations, including the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple and Meghahatuburu Hills.
The capacity augmentation will facilitate transportation of key commodities such as coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum, enabling additional freight movement of about 44 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The government said the projects would help reduce logistics costs, save about six crore litres of oil, cut 29 crore kg of carbon dioxide emissions and contribute to climate goals. The reduction in emissions is equivalent to planting about one crore trees, it added.
TNT KS
