New Delhi, February 26 (IANS). Continuing its transformational efforts to build a future-ready, high-capacity rail network, Indian Railways on Thursday approved several strategic infrastructure projects worth Rs 871 crore across the Northern, Southern and Eastern Railway zones.
These projects aim to modernize the coaching maintenance ecosystem, reduce congestion on high density corridors, eliminate operational bottlenecks and significantly increase passenger and freight carrying capacity.
Under the sanctioned projects, coach maintenance facility will be developed under Phase-I at Sri Ganganagar station in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs 174.26 crore. This project is part of a larger initiative to upgrade and develop maintenance infrastructure for modern rolling stock including LHB and Vande Bharat trains.
To meet the increasing maintenance needs arising from expansion of Vande Bharat and LHB services in Bikaner area, Indian Railways has approved enhancement of coaching maintenance facilities at Lalgarh, Rajasthan at a cost of Rs 139.68 crore under Phase-II.
As part of increasing capacity in Kerala, Indian Railways has approved double lining of 21.10 km long Turavur-Mararikulam section of Southern Railway at a cost of Rs 450.59 crore. This section is on the strategically important Ernakulam–Alappuzha–Kayankulam corridor. The corridor handles considerable passenger and freight traffic, including port-bound cargo.
Indian Railways has also approved construction of 4.75 km long Kalipahari Bypass Line under Eastern Railway in West Bengal at a cost of Rs 107.10 crore to overcome operational problems in Asansol area.
The project is expected to save about 90 minutes of time for nine freight trains and about 30 minutes for eight coaching trains every day. By reducing yard congestion and improving operational ease, it will increase the capacity of the bypass line, reduce turnaround time and significantly improve efficiency in one of the busiest railway zones of Eastern India.
–IANS
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