The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new line to connect Gujarat’s far-fetched region Rann of Kutch and Harappan site Dholavira, along with clearing three multi-tracking projects traversing through Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam, worth Rs 12,328 crore for better passenger and goods transport.
These projects are Deshalpar-Hajipir-Luna and Vayor-Lakhpat new line, Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)-Wadi third and fourth Line, Bhagalpur-Jamalpur third line, and Furkating-New Tinsukia doubling.
Under the 145-km new line project in Gujarat, a total of 13 new railway stations will come up in three years to connect the Harappan site Dholavira, Koteshwar temple, Narayan Sarovar and Lakhpat fort.
The line will also help in increasing the transportation of salt, cement, coal, clinker and bentonite.
Officials said that the 173-km Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)-Wadi multi-track project spanning across Karnataka and Telangana will be completed in five years, 53-km Bhagalpur-Jamalpur third line in Bihar will take three years, while 194-km Furkating-New Tinsukia doubling in Assam will be completed in four years.
These four projects together will cover a total of 13 districts in Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam and will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 565 kms.
It will also result in the movement of the additional freight traffic of 68 million tonnes per annum on the routes, officials said.
