The three projects cover seven districts in Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. They will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 300 kms.
The routes are considered essential for the transport of agricultural products, fertiliser, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone among others. The capacity augmentation will result in 45 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of additional freight traffic.
These projects will improve logistical efficiency by increasing the existing line capacity, according to an official statement. “This will result in streamlined supply chains and accelerated economic growth,” the statement said, adding that the new projects will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility. Under these projects, 14 new stations will be built, providing enhanced connectivity to aspirational districts of Nuapada and East Singhbum. The projects will also provide connectivity to about 1,300 villages and about 1.1 million people. The multi-tracking project will improve connectivity to a similar number of villages and to about 1.9 million people.
According to the statement, the new projects are expected to help in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost. Oil import will be reduced by 100 million litres and CO2 emissions by 2.4 billion kgs, equivalent to planting 97 million trees, the statement added.