Brownfield rail project in West Bengal and Jharkhand cleared
The 86th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) has evaluated four rail and road projects on 24 Jan, saying these developments will boost logistical efficiency, reduce travel time and deliver substantial socio-economic benefits https://vibrantbuildcon.com/.
Upon completion, these projects are anticipated to significantly strengthen India’s infrastructure network, ensuring that the benefits of seamless connectivity reach every part of the country https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
The projects are:
A. Projects of the Ministry of Railways (MoR)
Quadrupling between Vadodara and Ratlam (258.94km)
This project will add a third and fourth railway line alongside the existing route between Vadodara (Gujarat) and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) spanning 258.94 km, easing congestion on one of Western Railway’s busiest corridors https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
By enhancing freight and passenger capacity, it is expected to reduce detentions and improve connectivity to important industrial and port hubs. It will also strengthen multimodal integration by linking major routes like the Mumbai–New Delhi corridor and adjacent sections in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh https://www.globaltenders.com/.
Murarai – Barharwa 3rd Line (48.9 km)
This Brownfield railway project in West Bengal and Jharkhand spanning 48.9 km, aims to address growing passenger and freight demands in a congested corridor. The existing section is operating at more than 134% capacity, handling coal, iron ore, fertilizers, and other bulk commodities https://ted.europa.eu/en/.
The addition of a third line will reduce waiting times, improve train punctuality, and increase overall logistics efficiency. Upon completion, it is expected to handle additional bulk traffic for key industries in the region.
B. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Construction and Upgradation of Existing Road to Two Lane with Paved Shoulder for the Stretch of Tikamgarh – Badagon – Ghuwara – Shahgarh
This project will upgrade a key stretch of 80.70 km of NH-539 in Madhya Pradesh to two lanes with paved shoulders, improving inter-state connectivity between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, bypassing Tikamgarh city https://sbi.com.in/ .
It aims to reduce congestion, support the transport of agricultural produce (such as wheat and pulses) and stimulate tourism in places such as Orchha, renowned for its cultural heritage.
Construction of Four lane Greenfield Access Controlled Highway from Sultanpur (near village Ahimane) to Ayodhya (Ring Road of Ayodhya town) of NH-330
This Greenfield four-lane highway having length of 65 km with service roads will bypass heavily built-up areas along NH-330 in Uttar Pradesh. The new corridor will feature major upgrades, including a flyover, ROBs, and dedicated utility ducts https://www.nseindia.com/.
Designed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), it will significantly shorten travel times, enhance safety through access-controlled design, and improve regional links among Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Lucknow. The project is also poised to spur tourism around Ayodhya and bring broader economic benefits to local communities https://www.bseindia.com/.
The proposals were evaluated based on PM GatiShakti Principles ensuring integrated planning and multimodal connectivity, The Commerce and Industry Ministry said on 25 Jan. fiinews.com
