The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved two multitracking railway projects with a total estimated cost of ₹24,815 crore, aimed at expanding capacity and improving operational efficiency across key routes in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, according to a statement by the Ministry of Railways on Saturday, 18 April.
The projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 601 Km and involve a total track length of 1,317 Km, covering 15 districts across the two states.
The approved projects comprise the 403 Km Ghaziabad-Sitapur 3rd and 4th line, estimated at ₹14,926 crore, and the 198 Km Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th line, with a cost of ₹9,889 crore.
The ministry stated that the projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and are aimed at enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated infrastructure planning.
The Ghaziabad-Sitapur corridor, part of the Delhi-Guwahati high-density network, currently operates at capacity utilisation levels of up to 168 per cent, which is projected to rise to 207 per cent if expansion is not undertaken.
The project is expected to improve connectivity between northern and eastern regions and facilitate movement across key industrial hubs such as Ghaziabad, Moradabad and Bareilly.
The project is also expected to handle additional freight traffic of 35.72 million tonnes per annum and generate 274 lakh human-days of employment, while enabling annual logistics cost savings of ₹2,877.46 crore compared to road transport.
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The Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam section forms part of the Howrah-Chennai high-density network and is among the busiest, predominantly freight-oriented sections of the East Coast rail corridor.
The section is already operating at capacity utilisation levels of up to 130 per cent and is expected to see further growth due to port and industrial expansion in the region.
The project will improve connectivity to major ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada and Machilipatnam, while also reducing congestion and operational delays.
It is expected to handle additional freight traffic of 29.04 million tonnes per annum and generate 135 lakh human-days of employment.
According to the ministry, the two projects will also contribute to environmental sustainability, with a combined reduction of 180.31 crore Kg CO2 emissions, equivalent to the plantation of 7.33 crore trees.
The projects are expected to be completed by 2030-31 and will enhance connectivity to key industrial centres, tourist destinations and logistics hubs, while supporting economic development and reducing transportation costs across regions.
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