New Delhi: The Network Planning Group under the PM GatiShakti initiative evaluated seven key rail and road projects in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to ascertain progress and ensure that they comply with norms of the initiative and enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency, a ministry of commerce and industry said on Tuesday.

Benefits 

These projects evaluated on 24 October are expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel times, boost logistical efficiency, and provide socio-economic benefits to the regions they connect, as per the statement.

The group assessed two road projects in Uttar Pradesh to be completed by the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH). Both projects are expected to increase efficiency in freight movement, and provide easy access to economic zones, the press release said. 

One will connect a corridor of Prayagraj-Jaunpur-Azamgarh-Dohrighat-Gorakhpur Road in the country’s most populous state, integrating greenfield and brownfield sections, as per the press release. This road is expected to align to regional needs, and MoRTH will complete the land acquisition swiftly, the release said.

The other, the Ghazipur-Syed Raja Road Section, will be connected to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFCCIL), local railway stations like Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Ghazipur City, and air links through Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi. 

Additionally, the Varanasi Inland Waterway Terminal via NH-19 provides an alternative cargo route, optimizing logistics under the PM GatiShakti framework to streamline trade and reduce logistics costs in the region, the press statement said.

Two railway lines in Jharkhand aim to increase coal transporting capacity in the country. The cumulative effect of these projects will be the doubling of the Koderma-Arigada and Shivpur-Kathautia Rail Lines, spanning 133.38 km and 49.08 km respectively.

The Tirupati-Katpadi Double Line in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which spans over 100 km, passes through key industrial clusters, includes two industrial parks near Renigunta (approx. 15 km from Tirupati) and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) (85 km from Tirupati), the press statement said. 

The SEZ is a significant industrial hub, hosting numerous export-oriented units, while Renigunta’s proximity to the granite industry near Chittoor provides opportunities for improved freight logistics. Additionally, this project increases access to ports such as Krishnapatnam (104 km from Tirupati) and Chennai Port (140 km from Tirupati) and facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers to support tourism and local industries.

The other rail projects in Odisha will further the government’s “Mission 3000 MT” target by aiming to double coal transport capacity by 2027. The two projects – Jharsuguda to Sason 3rd & 4th lines Rail Line, and the Sambalpur to Jarapada Rail Line 3rd & 4th lines – in the eastern state will connect the industrial corridor with the Paradip and Dhamra ports, bolstering the regional energy corridor.

“Upon completion, these projects will significantly contribute to India’s infrastructure landscape, ensuring that the advantages of seamless connectivity extend to every region. By strengthening multimodal transport systems and addressing critical infrastructure gaps, these initiatives align with the Government’s vision for integrated and sustainable development,” the press statement said.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a sum of ₹7,798 crore for two railway connectivity projects and a venture capital (VC) fund to boost India’s space economy.

One rail project runs from Narkatiaganj to Darbhanga, covering 256km, and the other from Errupalem and Namburu via Amaravati, covering 57km. The projects will be completed over the next five years.

“The 256km railway project will benefit Uttar Pradesh and North Bihar. It will be vital for Indo-Nepal trade, connecting the inland container depot at Birgunj, Nepal. It will fasten movement of foodgrains, fertilizers, cement, containers, etc. The other railway project will improve connectivity of central and northern India with southern India, with direct connectivity between Amravati, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata,” Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, briefing reporters about the cabinet decisions.

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Additionally, capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of 31 million tonnes per annum. The railways, being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost, lowering CO2 emissions by 1.68 billion kg, which is equivalent to planting 70 million trees. 

These projects will generate 10.6 million human days of employment, the minister said.

The projects fall under the PM-Gati Shakti national masterplan for multimodal connectivity, which has been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for moving people, goods and services.

Vaishnaw said 7,000 special trains are being run ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, accommodating an additional 200,000 people against last year’s 4,500 special trains.

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VC fund for space economy

The space economy VC fund, which is aimed at driving economic growth and job creation, will also be developed over the coming five years, with proposed investments of ₹10-60 crore each in 30-35 space startups over the next 10 years.

It will be structured as per Sebi guidelines for alternative investment funds.

“The number of startups is just a goal—it is not restrictive. The amount will be in two phases. In the first phase, it will be ₹5-10 crore, and in the later phase it will be ₹10-60 crore. The number can grow based on the company type and its profile. We will be transparent in evaluation, selection of the companies and a fund manager will be operating the fund,” Indian Space Research Organisation chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath who was also present at the press briefing said.

“This decision will push India to stand alongside developed nations like the UK, US, Germany, France, etc. Through this, young entrepreneurs and scientists will get an opportunity,” the railway minister said.

At present, India’s space economy is about ₹70,000 crore, which is likely to grow to ₹3.5 trillion by 2033. There are already 250 startups in the space sector, Vaishnaw said.

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