Railways to seek cabinet nod for ₹5.25 lakh cr linkage plan
India is working on an ambitious plan to create energy, mineral and cement transport corridors for the seamless movement of coal, iron ore, bauxite and cement. The railways ministry plans to seek Cabinet approval for a ₹5.25 lakh crore investment programme during fiscal years 2024-31 to improve rail connectivity to mining areas, cement plants and consumption points, based on the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The corridors will aim to de-bottleneck the existing railways network. The projects will include upgrading track infrastructure by doubling of existing routes and creation of alternative routes to avoid congested areas.
According to officials aware of the plan, some existing projects facing cost overruns are also likely to be clubbed under the corridors. «The enhanced allocation will give a renewed push for improving freight movement on the national transporter,» a senior government official told ET, adding that it is in line with Vision 2030 that aims to increase the modal share of Indian Railways in freight to 45% from around 27% now.
Railway network is key to the entire ecosystem as 90% of raw material moves by rail. «There is a need to augment connectivity to coal, iron ore, bauxite mines and cement plants of the country and also increase the railways' carrying capacity in line with demand for cement, coal and minerals,» said an official.
The railways transported 1,210 mt of total freight basket of 4,700 mt till end of 2019, but by 2024, it is planning to load 2,024 mt of estimated 6,400 mt of total freight. Based on GatiShakti masterplan, construction of new rail lines has risen to 12 km per day in 2023 from 4 km and the railways has planned building of 13,264 km length of rail infra projects, its highest
. Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com
