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Cabinet Approves Rs 24,815 Crore Railway Projects for UP, Andhra

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two major railway multitracking projects with a total outlay of Rs 24,815 crore. The projects will add approximately 601 km to the railway network across 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. They are designed to enhance freight movement for essential commodities like coal, foodgrains, and cement while also improving access to several tourist and pilgrimage sites. The initiatives are part of critical High Density Networks connecting northern, eastern, and southern regions of India.

Key Points: Rs 24,815 Crore Railway Projects Approved for UP, Andhra

  • Boosts freight movement for coal & cement
  • Enhances tourism connectivity
  • Part of key high-density networks
  • Bypasses congested stations
2 min read

Cabinet approves 2 key railways projects for UP, Andhra with Rs 24,815 crore outlay

Cabinet approves two major railway multitracking projects spanning 601 km to boost connectivity and freight movement in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

"The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations - Official Statement"

New Delhi, April 18

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday approved two multitracking Railways projects for Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with a total cost of Rs 24,815 crore.

The projects, covering 15 districts across two states, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 601 kms. These are Ghaziabad-Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 kms) and Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 kms)

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), Naimisharanya (Sitapur), Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam, etc.

The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, POL, iron and steel, container, fertilizers, sugar, chemical salts, limestone, etc.

Ghaziabad-Sitapur is an existing double line section forming a key part of Delhi- Guwahati High Density Network (HDN 4).

The Rs 14,926 crore project for this route is crucial for improving connectivity between the northern and eastern region of the country.

It passes through major industrial centres - Ghaziabad (machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals), Moradabad (brassware and handicrafts), Bareilly (furniture, textiles, engineering), Shahjahanpur (carpets and cement-related industries), and Roza (thermal power plant).

For seamless transportation, the project alignment is planned to bypass congested stations of Hapur, Simbhaoli, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, and Sitapur and accordingly, six new stations are proposed on the bypassing sections, according to an official statement.

The Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) section forms part of the Howrah-Chennai High Density Network (HDN). The proposed project with Rs 9,889 crore outlay is part of quadrupling initiative of Howrah-Chennai route.

The project traverses through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Vishakapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh. The project route runs along the eastern coastline and is among the busiest, predominantly freight-oriented sections of the East Coast Rail Corridor.

The proposed section will also boost tourism by improving access to key destinations such as Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam, etc.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently between Vizag and Rajahmundry for work, this is fantastic news! The current line is always packed. Quadrupling will reduce travel time and make journeys more comfortable. Hope they also improve station facilities and cleanliness as part of this project.
P
Priyanka N
Good to see infrastructure development, but I hope the environmental impact along the Andhra coastline is properly assessed. These are ecologically sensitive areas. Development is necessary, but not at the cost of our natural heritage. The government must ensure strict compliance with environmental norms.
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Rohit P
Connecting major industrial hubs like Ghaziabad, Moradabad (famous for brassware!), and Bareilly will give a massive boost to 'Make in India'. Faster movement of raw materials and finished goods = lower costs and more competitive exports. This is economic sense. 👍
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Anjali F
The tourism angle is a big plus! Better access to spiritual sites like Naimisharanya, Annavaram, and Draksharamam will help local economies. My family has been wanting to visit Antarvedi for years, but the journey was cumbersome. Hope this makes pilgrimage travel easier for everyone.
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Michael C
₹24,815 crore is a huge amount. While the projects sound beneficial, I sincerely hope there is transparent tendering and rigorous oversight to prevent cost overruns and delays. We've seen many projects get stuck. Accountability is key for taxpayers' money.

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