Govt plans special transport corridors worth Rs 5.25 lakh-cr

The Central government has planned a project to create specialized transport corridors for energy, minerals, and cement transportation. The railway ministry has sought Cabinet approval for a Rs. 5.25 lakh crore investment during 2024-31 fiscal periods. The corridor has been aimed at enhancing rail connectivity to cement plants, mining areas, and consumption points as per the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. The corridors will ease congestion in the existing railways network by upgrading track infrastructure, including doubling existing routes and creating alternative ones. Some projects facing cost overruns may also be integrated into the corridors. The increased investment will boost freight movement on Indian Railways, aligning with the Vision 2030 to raise the modal share of railways in freight from 27% to 45%. As of now, 90% of raw materials move by rail, improving connectivity to coal, iron ore, bauxite mines, and cement plants is essential. The plan aims to enhance railways’ capacity to meet the growing demand for cement, coal, and minerals in the country.