The Union Cabinet has officially approved the construction of the 3rd and 4th railway lines between Delhi and Ambala. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this major infrastructure project on February 14. The government will invest ₹5,983 Crore to build 194 kilometres of new tracks. This move is designed to reduce traffic on the busy Delhi-Jammu network and make train journeys smoother for passengers heading north.
Which Areas Will Benefit from the New Rail Lines?
This project connects the national capital with key districts in Haryana. The new tracks will cover Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Ambala, along with Central, North, and Northwest Delhi. Once completed, this quadrupling of tracks will allow more passenger trains to run on the route.
People travelling to popular tourist destinations will see a direct improvement in connectivity. This includes easier access to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Srinagar, Jammu, and Shimla. The additional lines will separate freight traffic from passenger traffic, which helps trains run on time and reduces delays during peak seasons.
How Will This Help the Economy and Industry?
Apart from passenger benefits, the project is vital for industries in the region. It will boost freight capacity by 24.6 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). This increase is crucial for transporting coal to thermal power plants located in Ropar, Panipat, and Rajpura. Agriculture warehouses and other industries will also find it easier to move goods.
- Cost Savings: The project is estimated to save ₹952 Crore every year in logistics costs.
- Employment: Construction work will generate approximately 132 lakh man-days of employment for local workers.
- Environment: The shift to rail transport will cut CO2 emissions by 43 crore kg annually, which is like planting 1.7 crore trees.
Timeline and Project Completion
The Ministry of Railways will lead this project, which includes building one important bridge, 28 major bridges, and 178 minor bridges along the route. While the construction of the Delhi-Ambala segment is expected to take about four years, the entire multi-tracking initiative is targeted for completion by 2030-31. This approval comes as part of a larger ₹18,509 Crore package to improve rail networks across the country.
