The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved two major railway projects worth approximately Rs 2,781 crore, aimed at enhancing connectivity, operational efficiency, and regional development in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The announcement was made by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a press briefing.
“These projects include the doubling of the Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus section spanning 141 kilometers, and the addition of the 3rd and 4th lines on the Badlapur–Karjat stretch covering 32 kilometers,” Vaishnaw said.
The increased line capacity is expected to significantly improve mobility, reduce congestion, and enhance service reliability for Indian Railways. Both projects align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ focused on making the people of the region ‘Atmanirbhar’ through comprehensive development and increased employment opportunities.
Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects emphasize integrated planning and multi-modal connectivity to boost logistics efficiency. Collectively, the expansions will add about 224 kilometers to the existing railway network, spanning four districts across Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 585 villages, benefiting around 32 lakh residents. The Kanalus–Okha doubling will improve access to the revered Dwarkadhish temple, supporting pilgrimage tourism and catalyzing the overall development of the Saurashtra region.
Meanwhile, the Badlapur–Karjat third and fourth line project is a critical component of the Mumbai suburban corridor, poised to meet future passenger demands and strengthen connectivity to Southern India. This corridor is also vital for freight transport, handling commodities like coal, salt, containers, cement, and petroleum products.
Vaishnaw highlighted the environmental benefits of these railway projects, noting, “Railways, being an energy-efficient and eco-friendly mode of transport, help achieve climate goals by reducing oil imports by 3 crore liters and lowering CO2 emissions by 16 crore kilograms—equivalent to planting 64 lakh trees.”
These projects mark significant strides in India’s infrastructure modernization, promising enhanced transport capacity, economic vitality, and sustainable development in two key states.