New Delhi, April 18: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two significant railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹24,815 crore for Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
These projects will expand the railway network across 15 districts in both states, increasing the Indian Railways’ network by approximately 601 kilometers. The projects include the third and fourth lines between Ghaziabad and Sitapur (403 km) and between Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) and Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) (198 km).
The government states that these projects will enhance access to several major religious and tourist destinations, including the Dudheshwar Nath Temple, Gadh Mukteshwar Ganga Ghat, the Shah Vilayat Jama Masjid in Amroha, Naimisharanya (Sitapur), Annavaram, Antarvedi, and Draksharamam.
These railway routes are crucial for transporting essential goods such as coal, grains, cement, petroleum products (POL), iron and steel, containers, fertilizers, sugar, chemicals, and limestone.
The Ghaziabad-Sitapur route is already a double line and is a vital part of the Delhi-Guwahati high-density network. An investment of ₹14,926 crore will be made on this route, strengthening connectivity between Northern and Eastern India.
This project will pass through major industrial centers like Ghaziabad (machinery, electronics, pharma), Moradabad (brass and handicrafts), Bareilly (furniture, textiles), Shahjahanpur (carpets and cement), and Roza (thermal power plant).
To reduce congestion, the project will bypass stations in Hapur, Simbhawali, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, and Sitapur. Six new stations will also be constructed as part of this initiative.
On the other hand, the Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam route is part of the Howrah-Chennai high-density network. An expenditure of ₹9,889 crore will be allocated for this route, which serves as a busy freight corridor in the East Coast Rail Corridor.
This project will traverse through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle, and Visakhapatnam districts in Andhra Pradesh. It will also facilitate easier access to tourist sites like Annavaram, Antarvedi, and Draksharamam.
The government believes that these railway projects will not only improve freight transport and connectivity but also significantly boost tourism and regional development.
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