Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw provided detailed insights into two major railway infrastructure projects approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which will significantly boost connectivity in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
While discussing the details of the project and its benefits to the Mithilanchal region and connectivity to the North East and Nepal, the Minister highlighted that the first project, involving the doubling of the Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur sections, will cover a total distance of 256 kilometers. This strategic project will strengthen connectivity to Nepal, North-East India, and border areas, facilitating the movement of both passenger and goods trains, thereby driving the socio-economic growth of the region.
He also said that the project will benefit 46 stations and involve the construction of 310 bridges, including 3 major bridges, 99 medium bridges, and 208 small bridges. A new Bagmati bridge is also part of the plan, which will significantly improve port connectivity to North Bihar and the Mithilanchal region. This will enable smoother transportation towards the North East and contribute to the development of a religious corridor. He also underlined the initiative will increase capacity by 2.25 times, aided by the installation of Kavach technology, which enhances operational efficiency and safety. The project is expected to be completed within five years, marking a major step towards improving connectivity and fostering regional development.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the 57-kilometer new railway line between Errupalem and Namburu via Amaravati, which has an estimated investment of ₹2245 crore. He noted that this project includes the construction of a 3.2-kilometer-long bridge over the Krishna River, which will significantly improve connectivity between major cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.
The new rail line will traverse through NTR Vijayawada and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh and Khammam district of Telangana. The Minister emphasized that this project will provide direct rail connectivity to Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh, improving mobility for both industries and the local population. This will enhance operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways, boosting economic growth and regional development.
The minister said that the Government’s focus on railway modernization is driven by the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. By utilizing historical and satellite data to enhance design accuracy, the Government is moving beyond traditional toposheet methods. This shift ensures better planning and execution, especially in flood-prone areas, where accurate data is crucial for resilient railway infrastructure. The new railway track will be developed as a semi-high-speed track (up to 160KMH) by removing unnecessary curvature and installing Kavach technology to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
