File image of an Indian Railways train.
Credit: iStock Photo
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday approved three major railways project with total cost of Rs. 7,927 crore and in which two projects will be implemented in Maharashtra, where BJP led Maha Vikas Agadi (MVA) made massive victory in the just held assembly polls.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today has approved three projects : Jalgaon – Manmad 4th line (160 km), Bhusawal – Khandwa 3rd and 4th line (131 km), Prayagraj (Iradatganj) – Manikpur 3rd Line (84 km).
The proposed multi-tracking projects will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections between Mumbai and Prayagraj, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told media after the CCEA.
The these three projects covering seven Districts in three States i.e., Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 639 Kms. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to Two Aspirational Districts (Khandwa and Chitrakoot) serving approx. 1,319 villages and about 38 lakh population, said the statement.
The proposed projects will enhance connectivity along the Mumbai–Prayagraj–Varanasi route by enabling the operation of additional passenger trains, benefiting pilgrims traveling to Jyotirlingas in Nashik (Trimbakeshwar), Khandwa (Omkareshwar), and Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), as well as religious places in Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Gaya, and Shirdi.
Additionally, the projects will promote tourism through improved access to various attractions including Khajuraho, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Devgiri Fort, Asirgarh Fort, Rewa Fort, Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoti falls, and Purwa falls.