Gandhinagar: The union cabinet on Wednesday approved Taranga Hill-Ambaji-Abu Road new rail line project to provide connectivity and improve mobility in the area.

While giving an overview of the project, Anil Khandelwal, Principal Executive Director, Gati Shakti Mission of Railway Ministry in his talk with Doordarshan News Girnar, said, “The first project report for Taranga Hill-Ambaji railway route came out in 1930 that suggested the development of a meter gauge line on the route.”

“So the project was in the pipeline since 1930, but due to some unavoidable circumstances, we were not able to connect Ambaji Temple to the main route,” he added.

In relation to the geographical challenge of the railway line that will pass through wildlife sanctuaries and mines nearby, Anil Khandelwal said, “We had to select the alignment that caused the least disturbance to wildlife and mines, and does not bring problems at the time of execution.”

“So we used Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Portal to decide the most favourable alignment but still for 10 km of this line will pass from the hills and that construction takes time and extra efforts,” he added.

Mr Khandelwal also said that “while making the route in hills, a total of 11 tunnels will be built. The proposed railway route will also have constructions of 54 major bridges and 151 minor bridges. So all the geographical challenges have been taken care of for this project with the Gati Shakti Portal.

“When any infrastructure development happens in an area, the socio-economic upliftment automatically happens as the locals get jobs and skills. During the railway projects, locals develop skills of welding, tunnelling, mason work, etc., that they can use anywhere to get jobs. As a result, wherever railway projects are implemented, the area benefits both economically and socially.” informed Mr Anil Kahndelwal.

Vikas Jain, Executive Director, Railway Board, said, “This project is significantly important as it was a long pending demand of locals to connect the Ambaji with railways.”

“As a result, this project will provide comfort and facilities to the pilgrims who come here from around the globe.” He added. DeshGujarat