Govt Approves ₹444cr Railway Projects to Boost Freight Movement
In a significant move to enhance the efficiency of railway freight movement, the Ministry of Railways has approved two chord line projects worth ₹444.64 crore in Panvel. The projects involve the construction of two new chord lines between Panvel-Somtane and Panvel-Chikhli, covering a total distance of 7.54 km. These new links will not only increase the line capacity but also reduce congestion, enabling smoother and faster movement of both passenger and freight trains.
The approved projects are expected to have a significant impact on the overall logistics and supply chain ecosystem in the region. With the increasing demand for faster and more reliable transportation of goods, the government’s initiative to enhance railway freight movement is a welcome step. The new chord lines will provide an additional capacity to handle more freight trains, reducing the pressure on the existing infrastructure and minimizing the risk of delays and congestion.
The Panvel-Somtane chord line, which is estimated to cost ₹234.64 crore, will connect the existing Panvel-Somtane section with the Panvel-Chikhli section. This will enable freight trains to bypass the existing Panvel-Panvel section, reducing congestion and increasing the overall efficiency of freight movement. The Panvel-Chikhli chord line, worth ₹210 crore, will connect the existing Panvel-Chikhli section with the Panvel-Somtane section, providing an alternative route for freight trains.
The construction of these new chord lines is expected to have a significant impact on the economy of the region. With the ability to handle more freight trains, the railways will be able to offer faster and more reliable transportation services to industries and businesses. This will not only reduce the cost of transportation but also increase the competitiveness of industries in the region.
The railway freight movement is a critical component of the country’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem. The railways play a vital role in the transportation of goods, particularly in the movement of bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and foodgrains. The government’s initiative to enhance railway freight movement is essential to ensure the smooth functioning of the economy.
The construction of the new chord lines is expected to be completed within a period of 36 months. The Indian Railways has already started the process of awarding the contracts for the construction of the new chord lines. The project is expected to generate employment opportunities for thousands of people and will also have a positive impact on the local economy.
The government’s initiative to enhance railway freight movement is part of its broader strategy to improve the logistics and supply chain ecosystem in the country. The government has set an ambitious target to increase the share of the railways in the transportation of goods from the current 30% to 40% in the next few years. To achieve this target, the government is investing heavily in the modernization and expansion of the railway network.
In recent years, the Indian Railways has taken several initiatives to improve the efficiency and reliability of freight movement. The railways have introduced several new trains and services, including the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), to enhance the capacity and efficiency of freight movement. The railways have also automated several processes, including the tracking and monitoring of freight trains, to reduce delays and congestion.
The government’s initiative to enhance railway freight movement is also expected to have a positive impact on the environment. The railways are one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation, emitting significantly less greenhouse gases compared to road and air transportation. By increasing the share of the railways in the transportation of goods, the government can reduce the carbon footprint of the logistics and supply chain ecosystem.
In conclusion, the government’s approval of the ₹444.64 crore chord line projects in Panvel is a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reliability of railway freight movement. The new chord lines will increase the line capacity, reduce congestion, and enable smoother and faster movement of both passenger and freight trains. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the economy of the region, generating employment opportunities and reducing the cost of transportation. As the government continues to invest in the modernization and expansion of the railway network, we can expect to see significant improvements in the logistics and supply chain ecosystem in the country.
Source: https://www.logisticsoutlook.com/logistics/railway-freight-movement
