Cabinet Approves Two Multitracking Railway Projects in Maharashtra and Gujarat
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved two Ministry of Railways projects with a total estimated cost of Rs. 2,781 crore. The initiatives cover four districts in Maharashtra and Gujarat and will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 224 km.
Project Details
The approved works consist of the following components:
Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha) – Kanalus Doubling
This section involves doubling 141 km of railway line. The development is expected to enhance connectivity to the Dwarkadhish temple and improve access to a major pilgrimage destination, contributing to broader development in the Saurashtra region.
Badlapur – Karjat 3rd and 4th Line
The 32 km project falls under the Mumbai suburban corridor. The additional lines are aimed at strengthening suburban connectivity and addressing future passenger requirements while improving links to southern regions of the country.
Connectivity and Capacity Enhancements
The multitracking projects are aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, emphasizing improved multi-modal connectivity and logistical efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder engagement. The developments will support the movement of people, goods, and services by offering seamless transit options.
The two projects will enhance connectivity for approximately 585 villages with a combined population of about 32 lakh. The increased line capacity is aimed at improving mobility, operational efficiency, and reliability while easing congestion across the network.
Freight and Environmental Impact
The upgraded routes are important for the transport of commodities such as coal, salt, containers, cement, and POL. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 18 MTPA. The rail-based transport mode is projected to help reduce logistics costs, support climate-related objectives, and cut oil imports by an estimated 3 crore litres. The decrease in carbon emissions, assessed at about 16 crore kg, is described as equivalent to the effect of planting 64 lakh trees.