Cabinet clears Rs 6,405 crore rail projects to ease freight congestion

The Union Cabinet has approved two railway capacity expansion projects worth Rs 6,405 crore.

The projects, Koderma – Barkakana track doubling and Ballari – Chikjajur doubling, aims to enhance connectivity in Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

The multitracking projects are poised to improve operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways and alleviate congestion, the Cabinet said.

The 133-kilometre long Koderma – Barkakana doubling project passes through a major coal producing area of Jharkhand and serves as the shortest and more efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi.

The 185-kilometre long Ballari – Chikjajur project traverses through Ballari and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the project will serve the Mangaluru Port and reduce the need for shipments to be taken to Goa or Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh.