15 Jul Cabinet Approves ₹3,907 Cr Multi-Tracking Rail Projects in Odisha, Jharkhand
Relevance for UPSC & State PCS: Polity & Governance
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved two multi-tracking projects for the Ministry of Railways, with an estimated total cost of approximately 3,907 crore rupees, to be completed by 2030-31. These projects, involving the doubling of the Paradip – Haridaspur line and the fourth line for Rajkharsawan-Dangoaposi, will add about 145 kilometers to the existing Indian Railways network across four districts in Odisha and Jharkhand. This initiative is designed to significantly improve traffic flow, enhance operational efficiency, and increase service reliability by streamlining operations and reducing congestion, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision for a new India focused on comprehensive regional development and self-reliance.
For UPSC and State PCS aspirants, these projects are highly relevant under Polity & Governance, particularly in understanding the government’s strategic infrastructure development and its multi-faceted impact. The approval underscores the role of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in sanctioning large-scale public infrastructure projects and highlights the government’s commitment to the ‘PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan’. This plan’s core objective of enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistical efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultation is clearly demonstrated here, aiming to ensure seamless movement of people, goods, and services, and fostering regional growth.
Furthermore, the projects illustrate the government’s approach to leveraging infrastructure for broader socio-economic and environmental benefits. By improving connectivity to approximately 1,526 villages and several key tourist destinations, these initiatives aim to boost employment and self-employment opportunities for around 14 lakh people. The enhanced capacity for freight movement, particularly for commodities like coal and iron ore, is crucial for industrial growth. Moreover, the emphasis on rail as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, contributing to climate goals by reducing oil imports and carbon dioxide emissions, showcases a holistic policy framework that integrates economic development with environmental sustainability, a critical aspect for governance questions.
Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)
Practice Questions
Q1. The Union Cabinet recently approved two multi-tracking projects. These projects are set to increase the existing network of Indian Railways by approximately how many kilometers?
- About 70 kilometers
- About 100 kilometers
- About 145 kilometers
- About 200 kilometers
Answer
About 145 kilometers — The Union Cabinet approved two multi-tracking projects that will add approximately 145 kilometers to the existing Indian Railways network, as stated in the news title.
Q2. The recently approved multi-tracking projects by the Union Cabinet are located in which two Indian states?
- Odisha and West Bengal
- Jharkhand and Bihar
- Odisha and Jharkhand
- Chhattisgarh and Odisha
Answer
Odisha and Jharkhand — The news title explicitly mentions that the multi-tracking projects were approved for four districts in Odisha and Jharkhand.
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