New Delhi: In a big boost to rail infrastructure development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday approved three multitracking projects across Indian Railways with an estimated cost of Rs 7,927 crore.
The projects are scheduled to be completed in four years.
The three multi-tracking projects are Jalgaon–Manmad 4th line (160 km), Bhusawal–Khandwa 3rd and 4th line (131 km), and Prayagraj (Iradatganj)–Manikpur 3rd line (84 km).
“The three projects covering seven districts in three states i.e., Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 639 kms. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to two Aspirational districts (Khandwa and Chitrakoot) serving approx. 1,319 villages and about 38 lakh population,” a government statement said.
The statement further said that the proposed projects will enhance connectivity along the Mumbai–Prayagraj–Varanasi route by enabling the operation of additional passenger trains, benefiting pilgrims travelling to Jyotirlingas in Nashik (Trimbakeshwar), Khandwa (Omkareshwar), and Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), as well as religious places in Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Gaya, and Shirdi.
Additionally, the projects will promote tourism through improved access to various attractions such as Khajuraho UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ajanta and Ellora Caves UNESCO World Heritage Site, Devgiri Fort, Asirgarh Fort, Rewa Fort, Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoti Falls, and Purwa Falls etc.
As per the media release, the proposed multitracking rail projects are essential routes for the transportation of commodities such as agricultural products, fertiliser, coal, steel, cement, containers etc.
“The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 51 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum),” it said.
The Cabinet also approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 2,481 crore (Government of India share – Rs 1,584 crore; State share – Rs 897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).
The NMNF aims to promote natural farming practices for providing safe and nutritious food for all. The Mission is designed to support farmers to reduce the input cost of cultivation and dependency on externally purchased inputs.
“Natural farming will build and maintain healthy soil ecosystems, promote biodiversity and encourage diverse cropping systems to enhance resilience as suitable to the local agroecology are the benefits of natural farming,” the government said. UNI
