New Delhi [India], February 24 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed 'full commitment' to the expansion of railways in the country as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three multi-tracking projects worth Rs 9,072 crores.

The three multi-tracking projects between Gondia-Jabalpur, Punarakh-Kiul, and Gamharia-Chandil will accelerate economic growth in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, and will also boost employment and tourism, PM Modi said.

'We are fully committed to the development and expansion of the rail network across the country. Taking an important step in this direction, our government has approved three multi-tracking projects between Gondia-Jabalpur, Punarakh-Kiul, and Gamharia-Chandil. Under 'PM Gati Shakti', these projects will accelerate economic growth in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, while also boosting employment and tourism,' the Prime Minister wrote on X.

According to a press release by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the three projects covering eight districts across the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 307 kilometres. The proposed multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to about 5,407 villages, which have a population of about 98 lakhs.

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vision of a New India, which will make people of the region 'Atmanirbhar' by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The projects are planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services, CCEA said.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Kachnar Shiv Temple (Jabalpur), Kanha National Park (Balaghat), Gangulpara Dam and Waterfall, Pench National Park, Dhuandhar waterfall, Bargi Dam, Gomji-Somji temple, Chandil Dam, Dalma Hill Top, Hesakocha Waterfall, Raijama Ghati, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.

The projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, ballast and stone chips, fly ash, fertilisers, limestone, manganese, dolomite and foodgrains.

The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 52 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways, being environment friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (6 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (30 Crore Kg), which is equivalent to planting one crore trees, the release said. (ANI)