NewKerala.com

India's First Semi High-Speed Rail: Ahmedabad-Dholera Project Gets Cabinet Nod

The Union Cabinet has approved the Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project costing Rs 20,667 crore, marking Indian Railways' first semi-high-speed project using indigenous technology. The 134 km line will connect Ahmedabad to Dholera SIR, the upcoming Dholera Airport, and Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex, significantly reducing travel time. The project aligns with PM Modi's New India vision and PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aiming to boost multi-modal connectivity and employment. It is expected to benefit approximately 5 lakh people across 284 villages while reducing oil imports and CO2 emissions.

Key Points: Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail Project Approved

  • Cabinet approves Ahmedabad-Dholera semi high-speed double line project
  • Total cost of Rs 20,667 crore
  • First semi-high-speed project with indigenous technology
  • Enhances connectivity to Dholera SIR, Airport, and Lothal Heritage Complex
2 min read

Union Cabinet clears semi high-speed double line project to connect Ahmedabad district with Dholera in Gujarat

Union Cabinet approves India's first semi high-speed railway line connecting Ahmedabad to Dholera at Rs 20,667 crore, boosting connectivity and economic growth.

"The project is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a New India which will make people of the region Atmanirbhar - Official Release"

New Delhi, May 13

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved the Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project of the Ministry of Railways with a total cost of about Rs 20,667 crore. It will be Indian Railways first semi-high-speed project, planned with indigenously developed technology.

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project section will provide faster connectivity between Ahmedabad, Dholera SIR, the upcoming Dholera Airport and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex (NHMC).

Connecting Ahmedabad with Dholera will cut down passenger travel time, enabling comfortable daily commuting and same-day return trips. This semi-high-speed railway would not only bring two cities closer but also bring the people living hundreds of kilometres away closer to each other.

As India's first semi-high-speed rail project, the project will serve as a pioneer project, acting as a reference model for the phased expansion of semi-high-speed rail across the country.

The new line proposal will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways.

An official release said that the project is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a New India which will make people of the region "Atmanirbhar" by way of comprehensive development in the area and enhance employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The project is planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services, the release said.

The project covering the Ahmedabad district in Gujarat will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 134 km.

The proposed projects will enhance connectivity to approx 284 villages, which have a population of about 5 lakh.

The Railways being environment friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (0.48 crore litres) and lower CO2 emissions (2 crore kg), which is equivalent to plantation of ten lakh trees, the release said.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
A 20,667 crore project connecting just 134 km? That's about 154 crore per km. That seems high for a semi-high-speed line. I hope the cost-benefit analysis is solid and we're not pushing funds into vanity projects when rural rail connectivity is still poor in many states.
P
Priya S
This is a visionary move! Linking the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, the airport, and Dholera SIR creates an economic corridor. Plus, the environmental savings—2 crore kg CO2 and saving 0.48 crore litres of oil—are huge. Better than building more highways! 🌿👍
R
Ravi K
As someone who travels between Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar frequently, this is welcome. But I worry about land acquisition and cost overruns. We've seen projects get delayed by years. Hope the PM-Gati Shakti plan ensures timely execution. Also, will the fares be affordable for daily commuters?
J
James A
Impressive ambition—a semi-high-speed double line with indigenous technology. If this works, it could be a template for the rest of India. But I'm curious: why semi-high-speed (130 km/h) and not full high-speed (300 km/h) like Mumbai-Ahmedabad? Cost, I assume? Either way, good for Gujarat!
N
Nisha Z
Finally some attention to local connectivity! Dholera has been in the news for years as a smart city but lacked rail access. Now with the airport and heritage site coming up, this makes sense. Hope similar projects come to other tier-2 cities across India, not just Gujarat. 🤞

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50