Mumbai, June 26 -- Indian Railways has approved a series of infrastructure projects worth over Rs 12 billion (bn) aimed at enhancing rail capacity, improving freight movement, strengthening safety systems and upgrading urban transport infrastructure across Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The approvals cover line doubling, new freight chord construction, signalling modernisation and reconstruction of a major road overbridge.
In a boost to rail connectivity in the Kutch region, the doubling of the 49 km Adipur?Bhuj section on Western Railway has been cleared at an estimated cost of Rs 4.9 bn. The Somtane?Chikhli chord, a 3.7 km link on Central Railway, has been approved at Rs one point seven two bn to establish a direct connection between the Karjat and Roha routes and allow freight trains to bypass the congested Panvel Junction.
The Eastern Railway will undergo a signalling modernisation project sanctioned at Rs four point zero five bn to replace ageing relay-based interlocking systems with Electronic Interlocking technology at 32 locations, including 25 stations and seven intermediate block signalling points on high-density routes. The upgrade is intended to improve safety and operational resilience on highly utilised corridors.
In Madhya Pradesh, reconstruction of the Shastriya Road Overbridge in Indore Yard has been approved at Rs one point three nine bn to improve railway connectivity and urban mobility. These interventions are expected to improve operational efficiency, decongest critical corridors and enhance passenger convenience while supporting local economic activity.
The projects form part of a broader investment drive by Indian Railways to modernise infrastructure and bolster freight handling capacity across key regions. Implementation timelines and detailed work plans will be finalised by the respective zonal authorities as the schemes move to execution. Funding allocations and progress will be monitored centrally to ensure alignment with network capacity objectives.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.