Cabinet approves two Railway projects with estimated cost of US$ 808.8 million (Rs. 6,798 crore) and will be completed in five years to provide connectivity, facilitate ease of travelling, minimize logistics cost, reduce oil imports, and lower CO2 emissions

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, has approved two railway projects under the Ministry of Railways, with a total estimated cost of US$ 808.8 (Rs. 6,798 crore). The projects include the doubling of the Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur sections, covering 256 km, and the construction of a new line between Errupalem and Namburu via Amaravati, spanning 57 km. These projects are expected to generate approximately 106 lakh human days of direct employment. They are set to be completed within five years.

The doubling of the railway line will enhance connectivity to Nepal, northeast India, and border areas, facilitating the movement of passenger and goods trains and contributing to the region's socio-economic growth. The new rail line will connect approximately 168 villages and serve a population of about 12 lakhs, establishing nine new stations. Additionally, the multi-tracking project will benefit two aspirational districts, Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur, which serve around 388 villages and have populations of about nine lakhs. The capacity augmentation works are expected to generate an additional freight traffic of 31 million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). These initiatives align with the Prime Minister’s vision of a New India and the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, fostering comprehensive development and enhancing employment opportunities in the region.

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