Wardha-Ballarshah 4th line approved to fast track rly connectivity in Vidarbha

Time of India

4 days ago

Nagpur: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two major railway multi-tracking projects in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with a combined investment of Rs3,399 crore.
Part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to strengthen rail infrastructure and improve connectivity across four districts by the financial year 2029-30.
The approved projects include the third and fourth lines between Ratlam and Nagda in Madhya Pradesh, and the fourth line between Wardha and Ballarshah in Maharashtra. The new railway lines are expected to enhance capacity, reduce congestion and enable faster movement of freight and passengers along critical routes.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the Centre's decision, thanking Prime Minister Modi and Union minister for railways Ashwini Vaishnaw. He called it a major step for Vidarbha's development. "Under PM Gati Shakti's plan, these new railway lines will enable faster transport of coal, cement, gypsum, fly ash, containers, agricultural goods and petroleum products. It will lead to improved travel convenience, a reduction in logistics costs, lower crude oil imports, and a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.
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This initiative will boost sustainable and efficient railway transportation in the region," he said.
According to a statement from the Press Information Bureau, these multi-tracking projects are designed to expand the capacity of Indian Railways and cater to the growing demands of both passenger and freight transport. They will link approximately 784 villages, impacting nearly 19.74 lakh people. Officials highlight that the increased line capacity will help streamline rail operations and facilitate faster and more efficient transportation of essential commodities.
The projects are expected to handle an additional freight traffic of about 18.40 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). This will also help alleviate congestion along heavily used routes and optimise supply chains.
The projects are also projected to generate around 74 lakh human-days of direct employment during the construction phase. This is seen as a vital step in driving socio-economic development in the region, providing job opportunities and supporting livelihoods.
Officials say the integrated approach under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan reflects the govt's commitment to coordinated implementation and seamless connectivity across the country.
# PM Gati Shakti Boost
Total investment: Rs3,399 crore
Total length: 176 km
Districts covered: 4 districts in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
Target: FY 2029–30
# Project in Maharashtra
# Wardha-Ballarshah
Lines: 4th railway line
Purpose: Enhance capacity and connectivity, enabling faster movement of coal, cement, and other key goods
# Project in MP
Ratlam–Nagda
Lines: 3rd & 4th railway lines
Purpose: Decongest routes and streamline transport of goods and passengers
# Economic & social benefits
Employment generation: 74 lakh human-days of direct jobs during construction
Freight capacity increase: Additional 18.40 million tonnes per annum
Impact on Rural Areas: 784 villages to be connected, benefiting nearly 19.74 lakh people
Reduced crude oil imports: Less dependency on imports through efficient rail transport
# Key commodities Moved
Coal, cement, clinker, gypsum, fly ash, containers, agricultural goods, petroleum products
# Environmental impact
Lower CO2 emissions: Decreased carbon footprint with enhanced rail capacity
Sustainable Rail Transport: Aligned with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for green, efficient logistics
QUOTE
This initiative will lead to improved travel convenience, a reduction in logistics costs, lower crude oil imports, and a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. It will boost sustainable and efficient railway transportation in the region.
Devendra Fadnavis | Maharashtra CM