Top News

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), which gave the green light to the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera semi-high-speed double-line railway project on Wednesday, May 12.

A total investment of Rs 20,667 has been allotted to the first of the Indian Railways projects planned with indigenously advanced technology. The project will expedite connectivity for commuters travelling between Ahmedabad, Dholera SIR, the upcoming Dholera Airport, and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex (NHMC).

Commuters can easily plan same-day return trips from Ahmedabad and Dholera, as it cuts down on travel time. The semi-high-speed railway will not just benefit the passengers from Ahmedabad and Dholera but also help the people living hundreds of kilometers away. It will serve as a pioneer project, acting as a reference model for the phased expansion of semi-high-speed rail across the country, a Cabinet statement said.

Project will help 284 villages

The project will extend the railway network in Ahmedabad by about 134 km, and it will also enhance connectivity to around 284 villages, where about 5 lakh people live.

The project is a part of Modi’s vision of New India and will make people atmanirbhar with the comprehensive development in the region, as it will increase the chances of employment opportunities for the residents of nearby villages.

It is planned in accordance with the PM-Gati Shakati National Master Plan, focusing on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through the project.

The Cabinet statement also added that the Indian Railways is being environmentally friendly and will help the nation to achieve climate goals and lower the logistics cost of the country by reducing oil imports (48 lakh liters) and lower CO2 emissions (2 crore kg), which is equal to the plantation of 10 lakh trees.