CCEA Greenlights Rs. 18,036 Crore Indore-Mumbai Railway Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a new railway line between Indore and Mumbai. The project, costing Rs. 18,036 crore, aims to enhance connectivity and efficiency, covering six districts across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to a new railway line project connecting Indore and Mumbai. The Ministry of Railways will oversee the project, which comes at an estimated cost of Rs. 18,036 crore, according to a statement released on Monday.

The new Indore-Manmad line aims to provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of Indian Railways services. Covering six districts in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the 309-km extension will integrate with the existing rail network.

The project includes the construction of 30 new stations and is expected to benefit around 1,000 villages and a population of approximately 30 lakh. It falls under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, aiming to offer seamless movement of people, goods, and services.

This new route is expected to bolster tourism by offering a shorter connection between the western and southwestern parts of India and Central India. It will attract more tourists to the Ujjain-Indore area, including popular spots like the Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. Additionally, it will facilitate direct access to the Pithampur Auto Cluster, which hosts numerous large and small industrial units, linking them to key ports such as JNPA.

The line will also enhance the distribution network for millet and onion producers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively. The project is set to handle an additional 26 million tonnes of freight annually, supporting the transport of essential commodities like agricultural products, fertilizers, iron ore, and petroleum.

With its environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of operation, the railway project will help achieve climate goals by significantly cutting down logistics costs, reducing oil imports by 18 crore litres, and lowering CO2 emissions by 138 crore kg—equivalent to planting 5.5 crore trees. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)