Uttar Pradesh's Rail Network to Expand: 212.26km Track Doubling

18 Aug 2023 CW Team

In a bid to augment rail network capacity and optimise train operations, the Indian government has granted approval for the doubling of railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh. This strategic move aims to alleviate congestion, enhance ease of travel, and facilitate efficient transportation.

The project encompasses the doubling of a 212.26km track, with 101.58km connecting Chopan to Chunar, covering Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, and 95.94km linking Gorakhpur Cantt to Valmiki Nagar, spanning Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, and West Champaran in Bihar. The total cost allocated for this expansion initiative is $27.3642 bn.

Not limited to Uttar Pradesh, the government is also extending its financial support to other critical rail projects. These include the Son Nagar-Andal multi-tracking project, a third line between Nergundi and Barang, Khurda Road-Vizianagaram, and quadrupling for Samakhiali-Gandhidham. Additionally, doubling works for the existing line for Mudkhed-Medchal, Mahbubnagar-Dhone, and Guntur-Bibinagar are also in the pipeline.

This comprehensive effort, encompassing seven projects valued at approximately $325 bn, will span 35 districts across nine states. The beneficiary states include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The initiative is poised to extend the Indian Railways network by 2339 km and generate substantial employment opportunities, totaling 7.06 crore man-days.

The expansion plans focus on vital routes responsible for transporting diverse commodities such as food grains, fertilisers, coal, cement, and more. The anticipated capacity augmentation is projected to accommodate an additional freight traffic of about 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). This momentous initiative underscores India's commitment to modernising its transportation infrastructure for sustained economic growth.

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