New Ganga rail-road bridge to boost freight efficiency

08 Nov 2024 CW Team

The Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a multi-tracking project along the Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) route, with a budget of Rs 26.42 billion. This project, spanning key areas in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi and Chandauli districts, aims to enhance freight efficiency and alleviate congestion on one of India’s busiest rail corridors. Completion is anticipated in four years.

The Varanasi-DDU route, crucial for transporting essentials like coal, cement, and food grains, faces frequent delays due to rising tourism and industrial activity. To address this, the project will introduce third and fourth rail lines and construct a rail-road bridge over the Ganga River. These upgrades are expected to increase the route's freight capacity to 28 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA).

Aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the project will strengthen multi-modal connectivity, adding around 30 kilometers to the railway network. During construction, it will generate approximately 1 million person-days of employment, boosting the local economy.

By optimizing rail use—an energy-efficient and eco-friendly mode of transport—the initiative will help cut logistics costs and reduce CO? emissions by about 1.49 billion kilograms, equivalent to planting 60 million trees. This infrastructure boost not only addresses logistical challenges but also supports India’s climate goals and strengthens regional self-reliance through enhanced connectivity and job creation. (ET)

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