Cabinet clears Rs 24,815 crore rail projects; UP, Andhra Pradesh to get 601 km network expansion – The Times of India

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two multi-tracking railway projects worth Rs 24,815 crore covering Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, aimed at easing congestion and boosting freight and passenger movement, a government release said.The two projects–Ghaziabad-Sitapur 3rd and 4th line, and Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th line–are targeted for completion by 2030-31. Together, they will add about 601 km to the Indian Railways network.“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways,” the release said.The projects, planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, will cover 15 districts across the two states and seek to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.The Ghaziabad-Sitapur project spans 403 km with a track length of 859 km and an estimated cost of Rs 14,926 crore. It passes through key districts including Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and Sitapur. Six new stations are proposed on bypass sections to decongest busy nodes.The Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam project covers 198 km with a track length of 458 km at a cost of Rs 9,889 crore. It will improve connectivity to ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Machilipatnam and Kakinada.The government said the projects would improve access to tourist destinations including Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Naimisharanya, Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam.The two projects are expected to lower logistics costs, generate employment, and reduce carbon emissions by 180.31 crore kg — equivalent to planting 7.33 crore trees, it added.