New Delhi: The cabinet on Monday approved three major multi-tracking railway projects on the Prayagraj-Mumbai corridor worth Rs 7,927 crore, which will increase the capacity to run more passenger and freight trains between Purvanchal and Mumbai. The decision comes barely days after the BJP-led Mahayuti returned with thumping majority.
A large number of migrant workers travel from Purvanchal to Mumbai and other cities in Maharashtra.The projects will decongest and improve operational efficiency on one of the busiest sections.
Announcing the decision, railway and I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the projects include the construction of 4th line (160 km) from Jalgaon to Manmad, 3rd and 4th line from Bhusawal to Khandwa (131 km) and 3rd line from Prayagraj (Iradatganj) to Manikpur.
The projects will enhance connectivity along the Mumbai-Prayagraj-Varanasi route by enabling the operation of additional passenger trains. Vaishnaw said there was a need to augment the capacity on three stretches of this corridor and the fresh decision will address that. “That’s why the three projects have been approved together… With the blessings that Mumbai has given (to BJP-led Mahayuti), we will be able to run more trains to Amchi Mumbai,” he added.
In an official release, the govt said the three projects covering seven districts in three states — Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh — will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 639 km. These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertiliser, coal, steel, cement and containers.
As per estimate, the capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 51 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Govt said this will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising the logistics cost of the country, lower carbon dioxide emissions (271 crore kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 11 crore trees. TNN