Union Cabinet approves Rs 18,036 crore Indore-Mumbai railway project

New Delhi, Sep 2: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a major railway line project under the Ministry of Railways, with an estimated cost of Rs 18,036 crore.

This project will establish a new railway line between Indore and Manmad, enhancing direct connectivity and improving mobility within the Indian Railways network.

The project is a result of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated planning for multi-modal connectivity. Once completed, it will ensure seamless movement of people, goods, and services across the region.

The new railway line will span approximately 309 kilometres, covering six districts across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and will expand the existing Indian Railways network.

As part of the project, 30 new stations will be constructed, providing enhanced connectivity to the Aspirational District of Barwani. The new line will link approximately 1,000 villages and benefit around 30 lakh people.

The project is expected to give shorter route between the Western and South-Western parts of the country and Central India, thereby increasing tourist visits to popular destinations such as Ujjain and Indore, including the renowned Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.

The official press release said that the new railway line is essential for transporting commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, containers, iron ore, steel, cement, and petroleum products. The increased capacity from this project is expected to handle an additional freight traffic of approximately 26 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

The railway is also a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, the railways will contribute to achieving the country’s climate goals, reducing logistics costs, and cutting oil imports by 18 crore Liters. Moreover, the project is expected to lower CO2 emissions by 138 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting 5.5 crore trees.