Vadodara: Western Railway will be carrying out a quadrupling project spanning 258.94 km between Vadodara (Gujarat) and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh). This was one of the four projects (two railway projects and two highway development projects) evaluated for their conformity to the principles of PM GatiShakti in a meeting held last week.

The quadrupling project will add a third and fourth railway line alongside the existing route between Vadodara (Gujarat) and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) spanning 258.94 km, easing congestion on one of Western Railway’s busiest corridors. By enhancing freight and passenger capacity, it is expected to reduce detentions and improve connectivity to important industrial and port hubs. It will also strengthen multimodal integration by linking major routes like the Mumbai–New Delhi corridor and adjacent sections in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

This project was evaluated along with three others in the 86th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG), chaired by Joint Secretary Shri E. Srinivas from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The meeting, held on January 24, 2025, reviewed infrastructure projects in the road and rail sectors.

Other Projects Evaluated

Murarai–Barharwa Third Line (48.9 km)

This brownfield railway project in West Bengal and Jharkhand, spanning 48.9 km, aims to address rising passenger and freight demand in a congested corridor. The existing section is operating at over 134% capacity, handling coal, iron ore, fertilizers, and other bulk commodities. The addition of a third line will reduce waiting times, improve train punctuality, and enhance overall logistics efficiency. Upon completion, it is expected to accommodate additional bulk traffic for key industries in the region.

Upgradation of Tikamgarh–Badagaon–Ghuwara–Shahgarh Road

This project involves upgrading 80.70 km of NH-539 in Madhya Pradesh to two lanes with paved shoulders, enhancing inter-state connectivity between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh while bypassing Tikamgarh city. It aims to reduce congestion, support the transport of agricultural produce such as wheat and pulses, and boost tourism in Orchha, known for its cultural heritage.

Construction of Four-Lane Greenfield Access-Controlled Highway (Sultanpur to Ayodhya, NH-330)

This 65 km Greenfield four-lane highway in Uttar Pradesh, featuring service roads, will bypass heavily built-up areas along NH-330. Major upgrades include a flyover, ROBs, and dedicated utility ducts. Developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), the project will shorten travel times, enhance safety with an access-controlled design, and improve regional connectivity between Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Lucknow. It is also expected to boost tourism in Ayodhya and generate economic benefits for local communities.

The NPG NMP focuses on integrated development of multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, intermodal connectivity, and synchronized project implementation. These projects are anticipated to play pivotal roles in the region by boosting logistical efficiency, reducing travel time and delivering substantial socio-economic benefits to the regions they serve.

Upon completion, these projects are anticipated to significantly strengthen India’s infrastructure network, ensuring that the benefits of seamless connectivity reach every part of the country. DeshGujarat

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