CCEA Approves Rs. 18,036 Crore Indore-Manmad Railway Line Project to Boost Connectivity and Development

Spanning six districts across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the project will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 309 kilometers.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the green light to a new railway line project under the Ministry of Railways, with a total investment of approximately Rs. 18,036 crore. The project involves the construction of a new railway line between Indore and Manmad, aimed at providing direct connectivity and improving mobility, thereby enhancing the efficiency and service reliability of Indian Railways.

This project aligns with Prime Minister Modi's Vision of a New India, focusing on making the region "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliant) through comprehensive development, which is expected to create numerous employment and self-employment opportunities for the local population.

The new railway line is a part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity. The plan, which emphasizes integrated planning, will ensure seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.

Spanning six districts across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the project will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 309 kilometers. It includes the construction of 30 new stations, significantly enhancing connectivity in the Aspirational District of Barwani. The project is set to benefit around 1,000 villages and approximately 30 lakh people.

The new line is also expected to boost tourism in the region by providing a shorter route between the western and southwestern parts of India and Central India. This improved connectivity is likely to increase tourist footfall to various attractions in the Ujjain-Indore region, including the Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.

Moreover, the project will provide direct connectivity to the Pithampur Auto Cluster, which houses 90 large units and 700 small and medium industries, linking them directly to the gateway port of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and other state ports. It will also facilitate the distribution of millet produced in Madhya Pradesh and onions from Maharashtra to both northern and southern parts of the country.

As an essential route for transporting commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizer, containers, iron ore, steel, cement, and petroleum products, the project is expected to augment capacity, resulting in an additional freight traffic of approximately 26 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

In addition to its economic benefits, the project aligns with environmental goals by promoting the use of railways, an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. The project is expected to reduce oil imports by 18 crore liters and lower CO2 emissions by 138 crore kilograms, equivalent to the plantation of 5.5 crore trees. This will help India achieve its climate goals while minimizing logistics costs for the country.