THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, June 11: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while briefing the media on Wednesday’s Cabinet decisions, announced two major railway-related approvals under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, sanctioned two important multi-tracking projects covering parts of Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Vaishnaw stated that the projects include the doubling of the 133 km Koderma-Barkakana (Arigada) section and the 185 km Ballari-Chikjajur line, with a combined investment of ₹6,405 crore.
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According to the Railway Minister, these projects are crucial for enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activity, especially in tribal areas, and will benefit both local communities and the general public.
The Koderma-Barkakana (Arigada) doubling project alone is estimated at ₹3,063 crore. Spanning 133 km, this line provides the shortest rail link between Patna and Ranchi and will significantly improve connectivity in the districts of Koderma, Chatra, Hazaribagh, and Ramgarh.
Vaishnaw highlighted that the project will benefit 938 villages and a population of around 15 lakh. It is expected to handle an additional freight capacity of 30.4 million tonnes, reducing reliance on road transport and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Emphasizing the broader vision, the Railway Minister said that during Prime Minister Modi’s historic third term, multiple projects have been initiated to lower transport and logistics costs. He cited recent studies by IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, which revealed a reduction of approximately 4% in logistics costs due to increased investments in transportation infrastructure.
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He further explained that even a 1% reduction in logistics costs makes industries more competitive, enhances export potential, and reduces production expenses. Over the past year, transport infrastructure projects worth ₹4.5 lakh crore have received approval, playing a significant role in advancing the vision of a developed India.
