Cabinet Approves Rs 2,642 Crore Multi-Tracking Railways Project in Uttar Pradesh
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a multi-tracking Railways project in Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated budget of Rs 2,642 crore. This project will span the Varanasi and Chandauli districts and is expected to be completed in four years.
The initiative aims to create approximately 10 lakh human-days of direct employment during its construction. It includes the construction of the Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya multi-tracking project, featuring a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga River. This will enhance connectivity, reduce logistics costs, minimize oil imports, and lower CO2 emissions.
The route from Varanasi to Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction is crucial for both passenger and freight traffic but currently suffers from significant congestion due to its role in transporting goods such as coal, cement, and food grains, as well as accommodating rising tourism and industrial demands.
To alleviate congestion, infrastructure upgrades are essential, including the addition of third and fourth railway lines. According to the Cabinet, the proposed stretch is anticipated to handle 27.83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight.
This multi-tracking project is part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and will extend the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 30 km. The project aims to enhance logistical efficiency by connecting previously unlinked areas, thereby streamlining supply chains and promoting economic growth.
Earlier this month, the Cabinet also approved the Phase II expansion of the Chennai Metro Rail project, with an outlay of Rs 63,246 crore, and in August, it greenlit eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects, totaling 936 km with an investment of Rs 50,655 crore. These initiatives are expected to generate around 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment.
