CCEA approves Rs.116-bn rail track doubling

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has cleared six rail projects involving an investment of Rs.116 billion, said official sources, revealing that the projects largely involve track-doubling and allied works including laying new lines covering states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Projects approved include track-doubling and electrification of the 100.6km Muzaffarpur-Sagauli line in Bihar and the 109.7-km Sagauli - Valmiki Nagar route in adjoining Uttar Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs.13.5 billion and Rs.13.8 billion, respectively. The 117-km Bhatni - Aurnihar line in Uttar Pradesh will also be doubled and electrified at an estimated cost of Rs.13 billion. This project is expected to take traffic away from the Mughalsarai -Allahabad line, which is one of Indian busiest routes, running at more than 100% of line capacity. The increase in capacity will ease the operation of passenger trains from northern India to the eastern states of West Bengal and Bihar, as well as the northeastern states. The Rs.49.6 billion project to double and electrify the Jhansi - Manikpur and Bhimsen - Khairar lines with a length 425-km is intended to boost passenger traffic to the tourist destination of Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh. The committee has also approved the construction of a new 130-km line linking Jeypore and Malkangiri in Odisha. The Rs.26.8 billion project is intended to improve connectivity in the insurgency-prone districts of Dantewara, Jagdalpur, Jeypore and Koraput and that all these projects are slated for completion in 2021-2022, said an official spokesperson.