The Indian Federal Cabinet has approved four railway projects in the federal states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam with a total volume of EUR 1.3 billion (INR 123.3 billion). These include a 145 km new line in the Kutch region of Gujarat, which is to be completed within three years and will comprise 13 stations. It will be used for rail freight transport of salt, cement, coal, clinker and bentonite. Three other projects involve the expansion of existing lines. The 173 km Secundrabad (Sanathnagar) – Wadi line in Telangana will be expanded within five years at a cost of around EUR 488 million. In Bihar, the Bhagalpur – Jamalpur section will be expanded to three tracks at a cost of EUR 113 million, with completion scheduled in three years. The 194 km Furkating – New Tinsukia line in Assam will be expanded to three tracks at a cost of 353 EUR million, with completion scheduled in four years. The measures are part of the Gati Shakti National Master Plan and are expected to increase annual rail freight transport volume by 68 million t, particularly for coal, cement, steel, containers, fertilisers, agricultural products and mineral oil.
