Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on Monday virtually dedicated three major rail infrastructure projects worth Rs. 1,400 crore and flagged off a new passenger train service from Ahmedabad, giving a strong impetus to Gujarat’s socio-economic development. The Western Railway stated that these projects will strengthen connectivity, enhance logistics, and support industrial growth in the state.
The three projects include the Mahesana-Palanpur doubling (65 km), the Kalol-Katosan Road gauge conversion (37 km), and the Bechraji-Ranuj rail line gauge conversion (40 km). Alongside these, the Prime Minister flagged off the Katosan Road-Kadi-Kalol-Sabarmati passenger train from Kadi station and also launched a car-loaded freight train from Bechraji station.
Mahesana-Palanpur Doubling: Faster Travel and Less Congestion
The Rs. 537 crore Mahesana-Palanpur doubling project covers Banaskantha, Patan, and Mahesana districts. With the completion of this project, unnecessary halts of passenger trains due to traffic congestion and crossings have been reduced. Officials said it has significantly cut travel time between Delhi and Ahmedabad, while also supporting freight movement from industries in Banaskantha and promoting tourism in the region.
Kalol-Katosan Road Gauge Conversion: Seamless Broad-Gauge Connectivity
The Rs. 347 crore, 37-km Kalol-Kadi-Katosan gauge conversion project connects Gandhinagar and Mahesana districts with a seamless broad-gauge line. This conversion will enable the introduction of more passenger trains between Ahmedabad and Mahesana, directly benefiting local commuters. Officials noted that it will open up better employment opportunities and spur regional development by integrating smaller towns with key industrial hubs.
Bechraji-Ranuj Rail Line: Strengthening Logistics and Industry
The third project, the Rs. 520 crore, 40-km Bechraji-Ranuj rail line gauge conversion, has been implemented in line with the National Logistics Policy and the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity. The Western Railway highlighted that it will reduce logistics costs, improve the state’s Logistics Performance Index ranking, and increase automobile traffic share.
This project will particularly benefit the automobile industry in the region by enabling speedy and bulk transportation of vehicles and components over long distances, thereby boosting supply chain efficiency and supporting employment.
Passenger and Freight Services to Boost Local Economy
The inauguration of the Katosan Road-Kadi-Kalol-Sabarmati passenger train service is expected to reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Katosan Road. It will also enhance accessibility to religious centres and tourism destinations, providing a boost to the local economy.
Additionally, the launch of the car-loaded freight train from Bechraji will improve supply chain efficiency for the automobile industry, increasing the speed of bulk goods transportation and contributing to job creation and regional economic growth.
