New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "continuouly promoting connectivity" after the Union Cabinet approved the Varanasi-Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Multi-Tracking Project worth Rs 2642 crore.
According to a government release, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi, on Wednesday, approved construction of Varanasi-Pt.Deen Dayal Upadhyaya multitracking including a new Rail-cum-Road Bridge across Ganga River traversing through Varanasi and Chandauli districts in Uttar Pradesh.
"The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister @narendramodi ji approved the Varanasi-Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Multi-Tracking Project at a cost of Rs 2642 crores, which also includes the construction of a road bridge over the Ganga river. Under this project, the railway network will be expanded by 30 km. Thanks to Modi ji for continuously promoting connectivity in the country," Shah said in a post on X.
The proposed multi-tracking project will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways, the release mentioned.
Varanasi Railway Station, a crucial hub in Indian Railways, connects key zones and serves as a gateway for pilgrims, tourists, and the local population. The Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction route, vital for both passenger and freight traffic, faces heavy congestion due to its role in transporting goods like coal, cement, and food grains, as well as serving growing tourism and industrial demands.
To address this issue, infrastructure upgrades are needed, including a new rail-road bridge over the Ganga River and the addition of 3rd and 4th railway lines, the release said.
As per the release, the project is in line with the PM Modi's Vision of a New India which will make people of the region "Atmanirbhar" by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.
The project is result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity which has been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services, it read.
The project covering two Districts in Uttar Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 30 Kms. The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country and lower CO2 emissions (149 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 6 crore trees, it added.
