Odisha mines set to get a new rail line
Four rail-infrastructure projects have been recommended by the Network Planning Group (NPG) at its 46th session chaired by the Special Secretary, Logistics Division, DPIIT, Sumita Dawra.
The projects will provide multimodal connectivity, seamless movement of goods and passengers as well as increase logistics efficiency across the country, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 7 April 2023.
The projects, under Ministry of Railways, will be developed in tandem with the PM GatiShakti Principles using the integrated and holistic approach.
The 131-km Broad-Gauge (BG) double line between Sawai Madhopur and Jaipur in Rajasthan is deemed to be a significant infrastructure initiative. Upon completion, the project is expected to improve the line capacity to 71% (without maintenance block) and 80% (with maintenance block) by the year 2026-27. The Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur route serves as a feeder to the Delhi-Mumbai route, and it represents the primary conduit connecting Jaipur, its environs, and Mumbai, southern and eastern parts of India.
A 53-km Broad-gauge line between Anand Nagar Ghughuli via Maharajganj on Northeastern Railway in Uttar Pradesh would enhance economic development of the region by providing a direct BG route to the project area. The new line is expected to facilitate the movement of cement, fertilizer, coal and food grains, thus providing benefits to the related industries. Moreover, the railway line would enable freight movement to Nepal.
Another 116-km Broad-Gauge line between Junagarh to Nabarangpur station in Odisha is expected to reduce the distance from Bailadela iron ore mines to various steel plants in the Raipur region by 131 km. The new line would provide an alternative route for the movement of coal from Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, and Kakinada ports to various steel plants in the Raipur region. The provision of road-rail intermodal logistics is expected to enhance traffic to goods sheds at Jeypore, Junagarh Road, and Nabarangpur.
The fourth project is ‘Provision of Automatic Block Signaling’ on Freight Dense high utilization network on Western Railway aims to cover 895 RKM and four major sections of Western Railway in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The project’s benefits include enhanced line capacity and section speed to 130 kmph from 110 kmph, reducing costs and increasing the overall logistics efficiency. This will result in a reduction of train detention and travel time, especially in the Udhna – Jalgaon, Ahmedabad – Palanpur, Ahmedabad- Viramgam- Samakhiyali, and Viramgam- Rajkot sections.
The NPG’s 46th Session took place on 3 Apr 2023 in New Delhi. fiinews.com
