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Two Railway
Multi-Tracking projects approved across Maharashtra and Gujarat.
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The approval of two major
multi-tracking railway projects was announced by the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 November.
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A combined cost of nearly
₹2,781 crore was sanctioned to enhance line capacity and strengthen rail
connectivity in both states.
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It was stated that the
works include doubling the 141-km Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus section and
adding 3rd and 4th lines on the 32-km Badlapur–Karjat stretch.
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Together these projects
will expand the network by about 224 km and ease congestion to allow smoother
passenger and freight movement.
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The Ministry confirmed
that the projects fall under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aimed at
improving multimodal logistics.
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Completion of the works
is expected to benefit nearly 585 villages with a combined population of around
32 lakhs.
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The doubling project will
help improve access to the Dwarkadhish Temple and support economic growth in
the wider Saurashtra region.
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The additional tracks in
the Badlapur–Karjat belt will address rising suburban demand and enhance links
toward southern India.
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Indian Railways estimated
that capacity augmentation will enable movement of 18 million tonnes of
additional freight annually.
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Officials added that the
projects will help reduce logistics costs, save nearly 3 crore litres of fuel
and cut 16 crore kilograms of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting 64 lakh
trees.