Govt Clears Key Rail Projects in MH & MP

Key Approvals:

1. Wardha–Ballarshah Fourth Line (Maharashtra)

Objective: To enhance rail capacity in the Vidarbha region.

Expected Benefits: 

Faster movement of both passenger and freight trains, especially for coal, cement, gypsum, petroleum, and agricultural produce.

Direct benefits to 784 villages and over 19.74 lakh people. 

Employment generation of 74 lakh human-days during construction.

2. Ratlam–Nagda Third and Fourth Lines (Madhya Pradesh)

Length: 41 km 

Project Cost: ₹1,018 crore 

Strengthens a critical junction linking North, South, East, and West rail networks.  Improves freight corridor access from central India to west coast ports. Supports the movement of goods like containers, cement, coal, and agro-products. Direct rail link between Indore and Mumbai, reducing the distance by over 300 km. Connects six districts in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, including the aspirational district of Barwani.  Expected to benefit around 1,000 villages and a population of over 30 lakh.Boosts industrial logistics from the Pithampur Auto Cluster and supports the agriculture economy. 

These projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti initiative, aimed at creating a multi-modal transport network to reduce logistics costs, enhance economic productivity, and support sustainable development. 

All projects are expected to be completed by FY 2029-30 and are anticipated to significantly contribute to economic activity in their respective regions.

Source