In a significant infrastructure push, the Union Cabinet has greenlit two crucial railway projects with a combined investment of approximately ₹2,781 crore. The announcement came from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, following approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Major Infrastructure Boost for Western India
The approved projects will add nearly 224 kilometres to the existing Indian Railways network across four districts in Maharashtra and Gujarat. This substantial expansion represents one of the significant infrastructure investments in the region's railway connectivity.
The two key projects include the 141 km Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus doubling project in Gujarat and the 32 km Badlapur–Karjat third and fourth line project in Maharashtra. These developments are expected to dramatically improve railway operations across some of the busiest sections in Western India.
Aligning With PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
The railway ministry emphasized that both projects perfectly align with the Prime Minister's vision of building a "New India" and enabling "Atmanirbhar" growth. These initiatives are being strategically planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on multi-modal integration and enhanced logistic efficiency.
The government stated that the increased line capacity will significantly boost mobility, improve service reliability, and ease congestion, ultimately helping streamline operations across these critical railway sections. Additionally, the projects are expected to generate substantial employment and self-employment opportunities in the region.
Collectively, these two rail corridors will enhance connectivity for approximately 585 villages with a combined population of nearly 32 lakh people. The Kanalus–Okha doubling project is particularly significant as it will strengthen access to the revered Dwarkadhish temple and support broader development across the Saurashtra region.
Strengthening Suburban and Freight Corridors
The Badlapur–Karjat project, forming part of the crucial Mumbai suburban corridor, will address the growing passenger demand and improve transportation links to southern India. This development comes as a relief to daily commuters who have been facing congestion issues on this route.
The ministry highlighted that these routes play a vital role in transporting essential commodities including coal, salt, cement, petroleum products, and containers. With the added capacity, freight movement is projected to increase by an impressive 18 million tonnes per annum.
In an environmentally significant benefit, the Railways' energy-efficient operations will support climate goals by reducing oil imports by an estimated 3 crore litres and cutting CO₂ emissions by approximately 16 crore kg – equivalent to planting a remarkable 64 lakh trees, according to the official release.
This infrastructure development marks a crucial step toward modernizing India's railway network while simultaneously addressing both economic and environmental concerns. The projects demonstrate the government's continued commitment to enhancing connectivity and supporting regional development through strategic infrastructure investments.
