Dankuni-Surat Freight Corridor to Boost MP Logistics, Exports
The Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed that the planned Dedicated Freight Corridor stretching from West Bengal to Gujarat will establish a solid basis for substantial industrial growth in Madhya Pradesh.
He delivered a speech while ceremoniously initiating the departure of two trains - the new tri-weekly express train between Bhopal and Dhanbad, and the weekly express train between Bhopal and Chopan.
He initiated the departure of the two trains from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi, whereas Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav participated in the ceremony from Bhopal railway station.
Also Read: PM Urges Manufacturers to Focus on Quality Post India-EU FTA
The introduction of Train No. 11631/32 Bhopal-Dhanbad-Bhopal New Tri-Weekly Express and Train No. 11633/34 Bhopal-Chopan-Bhopal New Weekly Express represents a notable advancement in improving railway connectivity and passenger comfort in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring regions.
Both Deputy Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, attended the event. The introduction of these new train services was driven by a focus on enhancing the convenience of rail passengers, as well as addressing the increasing need for direct connections between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Vaishnaw asserted that the advancement of railways in Madhya Pradesh has achieved an unparalleled magnitude under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his third term.
During this timeframe, he stated that projects worth around Rs 48,000 crore that are directly linked to Madhya Pradesh have been approved. He mentioned that the much-anticipated Indore-Manmad new railway line, deemed a pivotal project for the area, has been approved with an estimated budget of Rs 18,000 crore.
The project will add third and fourth lines to the Bhusawal-Khandwa railway route has received approval for a budget of Rs 3,500 crore, while the Prayagraj-Manikpur line expansion project has been granted a budget of Rs 1,640 crore.
Additionally, the Ratlam-Nagda project to add third and fourth lines has been given the go-ahead with a budget of Rs 1,000 crore, as per his statement. Furthermore, the authorization has been granted for the Itarsi-Nagpur fourth railway line project with a budget of Rs 5,400 crore. The significant Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina fourth line corridor, which serves as a vital high-density route, has received approval amounting to Rs 4,300 crore, as stated by reports.
Also Read: ixigo Trains Renews Partnership with Rohit Sharma
The Minister announced that the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth line project has received approval with a budget of Rs 8,800 crore. The cabinet has also granted approval for the Gondia-Jabalpur doubling project at a estimated cost of Rs 5,200 crore. Vaisnaw highlighted the introduction of a new Dedicated Freight Corridor in the Union budget, spanning from Dankuni in West Bengal to Surat in Gujarat, crossing through Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of freight and logistics operations. This innovative freight corridor will act as a robust cornerstone for the expansive industrial growth of Madhya Pradesh. He stated that the East-West corridor spanning 2,052 kilometers will link up with the pre-existing Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, thereby facilitating uninterrupted transportation of goods to ports in the west, alleviating strain on the current railway system, and expediting the expansion of industrial sectors.
The minister also added that this corridor will effectively link Madhya Pradesh to key ports on the western coast, such as those in Gujarat and Maharashtra. According to him, the forthcoming Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra, anticipated to become one of the largest ports globally once finished, in addition to current ports like Hazira and Mundra, will greatly improve connectivity within the state.
Also Read: Hindustan Petroleum Seeks Venezuelan Crude for Heavy Oil
Industries in Madhya Pradesh stand to benefit greatly from increased freight connectivity to these ports, facilitating efficient export and import activities for both containerized cargo and bulk commodities. According to him, this enhanced logistics infrastructure is anticipated to stimulate industrial development within the state.
CM Yadav expressed his satisfaction with the inauguration of the new train service, which now provides daily railroad access to Singrauli. He characterized the advancement as a notable contribution to the area. Aside from Singrauli, the train's impact will extend to individuals commuting between Singrauli and Dhanbad, a region with a notable presence of individuals involved in commerce, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities.
This initiative aims to create a direct railway link with Jharkhand and Bihar, resulting in advantages for residents of these states. He further stated that the recently introduced rail service serves as more than just a means of transportation, but rather as a conduit for future growth and progress.