The Centre has given a green signal to the doubling of three important railway routes in Rajasthan, which will enhance the speed, capacity and safety of rail operations in the state. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the projects on Thursday evening, which are expected to cost Rs 3,883.35 crore and be completed by 2026-27.
The three railway routes that will be doubled are Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur (72 km), Ajmer-Chanderia (178.20 km) and Luni-Samdari-Bhiladi (102.91 km). These routes are part of the Golden Quadrilateral and Diagonal routes, which connect the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, and are vital for the movement of passengers and freight.
According to Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, the doubling of these routes will give impetus to the concept of fast and smooth rail operation in the region and the passengers will get the facility of more trains in the coming time. He said that the doubling of these routes will boost economic, social and religious activities in the area and will create many employment opportunities.
The doubling of the Ajmer-Chanderia route will benefit the textile industry in Bhilwara and the cement industries located around Chittorgarh, which are major contributors to the state’s economy. The project will also increase the tourist activities in Ajmer, Chittorgarh and Udaipur, which are famous for their historical and cultural attractions. The project will also improve the facilities for the activities taking place in the military area located in Nasirabad and for easy movement of soldiers.
The doubling of the Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur route will enhance the connectivity of the state capital with the rest of the country and will also facilitate the tourism potential of Sawai Madhopur, which is home to the Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest and most renowned wildlife reserves in India. The project will also improve the safety and punctuality of trains on this route, which is prone to accidents and delays due to single line operation.
The doubling of the Luni-Samdari-Bhiladi route will improve the connectivity of the western part of Rajasthan with the rest of the country and will also cater to the increasing demand of freight traffic from the oil and gas fields in Barmer and Jaisalmer districts. The project will also reduce the congestion and operational constraints on this route, which is currently running at 138% of its capacity.
The Centre’s approval of these projects is a major boost for the development of Rajasthan’s railway infrastructure, which will have a positive impact on the state’s economy, tourism, employment and environment. The projects will also help in achieving the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making India a leading railway nation in the world.
