Cabinet approval to eight new rail projects, Northeast states including Bihar-Jharkhand will get benefit

The central government has approved eight new rail line projects. These will help in increasing connectivity between states along with ease of rail travel, and a reduction in the cost of freight. The northeastern states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bengal, and Maharashtra will get the most benefit from this.

Addressing the media after the meeting of the Union Cabinet late on Friday night, Information and Broadcasting and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the proposed projects are in line with the new concept of Purvodaya of the recently passed budget, in which special concern has been taken for the development of the northeastern states. This will also increase employment along with economic development.

All the projects under the PM-Gatishakti Plan will be completed by the year 2030-31. Their total cost will be 24 thousand 657 crores. The cabinet has approved the bridge along with the 26 km long Vikramshila-Katariya New Double Line on the Ganges at Bhagalpur. This would have an expenditure of Rs 2,549 crore. There was a demand for this lasted for many years. This will provide an easier way to move from Nepal to Jharkhand via Bihar.

It will increase connectivity to another state of Purvodaya and transportation of these goods toward the port will be easy. Transport of the following items like agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, granite, limestone, aluminum powder ballast etc will be easier through these rail routes. Carbon emissions will decrease and this will also balance the environment. The quantity of goods transported will also increase.

The incorporation of the Purvodaya concept added 14 districts of seven states, whose rail connectivity will be enhanced with the construction of the new railway lines. The current network of the railways will also increase by 900 km. Sixty-four new stations will come up along the rail lines, thereby providing connectivity to East Singhbhum, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Raigad.

This will bring development to around 40 lakh population of 510 villages. The Maharashtra railway line will connect the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ajanta Caves also with the rail network, facilitating a large number of tourists.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday to give statutory powers to the Railway Board. The Railways Amendment Bill, 2024 seeks to improve the functioning and independence of the Railway Board. Mr Vaishnav said that the proposed legislation would also bring all provisions relating to the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989. This will obviate referring to two Acts.

Vaishnav said that before independence, the railway network was established as a branch of the Public Works Department. When the network expanded, the Indian Railways Act, 1890 was enacted to enable the proper functioning of various railway entities. Railways were separated from the Public Works Department and the Railway Board Act was enacted in 1905, Vaishnav said.