Cabinet Approves ₹3,342 Crore for Ballari-Chikjajur Rail Upgrade in Karnataka

Quick Summary

• Project Approval: The Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the ₹3,342 crore railway line doubling project between Ballari and chikjajur in Karnataka.
• Scope of Work: The 184.64-km-long project will double the existing single line along the Mangaluru-Marikuppam corridor, critical for freight movement.
• Significance:

– Improves freight transport for essential commodities like iron ore, steel, fertilizers, and foodgrains.
– Expected to ease congestion, improve punctuality of trains, and reduce travel time for passengers and cargo operations.

• Infrastructure Enhancements:

– Includes construction of bridges (29 major & 230 minor), road-over/underpasses (21 ROBs & 85 RUBs), and modern signaling systems for safety enhancements.

• Beneficiaries: Around 13 lakh people across Karnataka’s Ballari and Chitradurga districts as well as Andhra Pradesh’s Ananthapur district; involves upgrades at 19 stations across this stretch.
• Environmental Impact:

– Project could carry an additional annual freight volume of approximately 18.9 million tonnes while reducing fuel consumption significantly.

• Timeline Extent: Completion is expected within three years under Indian Railways’ execution framework.

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