Centre’s mega infra push: CCEA clears Rs 13,041 crore rail, highway projects

NEW DELHI: The administration on Wednesday approved five infrastructure projects worth a combined Rs 13, 041 crore, including four railway multi-tracking projects and an 82.5 km four-lane highway in Bihar, in a push to expand transport capacity, ease congestion and improve freight and passenger movement.

Key points

• In Bihar, the Cabinet approved the 82.5 km Muzaffarpur-Sonbarsa four-lane highway, designed to provide a faster link between Muzaffarpur on NH-27 and the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa.
• The decisions were taken at a session of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Authorities stated the highway would support ease congestion in densely populated areas along the route, including Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa.
• Together, the four railway projects will cover eight districts and improve connectivity to around 6, 448 villages with a combined population of almost 60 lakh.
• The projects are additionally anticipated to strengthen multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through coordinated planning involving various stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the decisions were taken at a session of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the four-lane Muzaffarpur-Sonbarsa highway in Bihar would cost Rs 3, 590.73 crore, information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked the four railway projects would entail an investment of Rs 9, 450 crore.

Notably, the Railway projects will add around 410 km of extra track capacity throughout West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, strengthening the Howrah-Chennai corridor and other significant freight and passenger routes. The projects are scheduled for completion by 2030-31.

Notably, the approved works include a 173-km fourth line between Kharagpur in West Bengal and Bhadrak (Ranital) in Odisha; a 75-km fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha; 90 km of third and fourth lines between Gummidipundi in Andhra Pradesh and Gudur in Tamil Nadu; and 72 km of third and fourth lines between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha.

For context, the Railway Ministry in an official statement remarked the further capacity would improve train mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability while reducing congestion on heavily utilised routes. The projects are additionally anticipated to strengthen multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through coordinated planning involving various stakeholders.

Together, the four railway projects will cover eight districts and improve connectivity to around 6, 448 villages with a combined population of almost 60 lakh. They are additionally anticipated to provide better rail access to a number of tourism and cultural destinations, including Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Panchalingeswar Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple, Lalitgiri and other religious and heritage sites.

In Bihar, the Cabinet approved the 82.5 km Muzaffarpur-Sonbarsa four-lane highway, designed to provide a faster link between Muzaffarpur on NH-27 and the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa. The project is projected to improve access to the expanding National Highway network and strengthen links between border areas and major economic centres.

Vaishnaw remarked the project has been planned in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and will improve multimodal connectivity to key economic, social and logistics hubs, including industrial areas and major railway stations.

Authorities stated the combined investments are aimed at creating extra transport capacity, improving supply chains and supporting more efficient movement of residents and goods throughout key regions.

Taken together, the developments around centre's mega infra push: CCEA clears Rs 13, 041 crore rail, highway projects point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.