The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four major railway projects worth Rs 123.28 billion to enhance connectivity, freight capacity, and regional development. The projects cover Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam.In Gujarat, the Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat new rail line will add 145 route km and 164 track km at an estimated cost of Rs 25.26 billion. The three-year project will improve freight movement of salt, cement, coal, clinker, and bentonite, while boosting tourism by connecting the Rann of Kutch, Dholavira, Koteshwar temple, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat fort. A total of 13 stations will be created, benefiting 866 villages and nearly 16 lakh people.The Cabinet also approved the Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)–Wadi third and fourth line project spanning Karnataka and Telangana. The Rs 50.12 billion project will cover 173 km in five years, benefiting Kalaburagi, an Aspirational District. In Bihar, the 53 km Bhagalpur–Jamalpur third line project will cost Rs 11.56 billion and be completed in three years. In Assam, the Furkating–New Tinsukia doubling project, covering 194 km at a cost of Rs 36.34 billion, will be completed in four years.Together, the initiatives will add 565 route km to the Indian Railways network, benefitting about 3,108 villages and more than 47 lakh people. The projects are expected to generate 251 lakh human-days of employment during construction.The capacity expansion will ease congestion, improve operational efficiency, and support movement of coal, steel, cement, containers, fertilizers, petroleum products, automobiles, and agricultural commodities. An additional 68 million tonnes of freight is projected to be handled annually.Officials noted the projects will help reduce logistics costs, oil imports, and carbon emissions. The estimated reduction of 3.6 billion kg of CO2 is said to be equivalent to planting 140 million trees.Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to strengthen multimodal connectivity and support the government’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat through regional growth and employment opportunities.News source: DD News