Cabinet Approves ₹2,642 Crore Ganga Rail-Cum-Road Bridge

October 17, 2024

The Indian government has approved a ₹2,642 crore project to build a rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga river in Varanasi. The project will take four years to complete and aims to improve transportation in this important region.

Project Overview

The new rail-cum-road bridge will help make transport faster and more efficient in the Varanasi-Chandauli area in Uttar Pradesh. This area is important for both passenger and freight traffic (goods transport), as it’s seeing more demand due to tourism and industry growth.

Why is Varanasi Railway Station Important?

Varanasi Railway Station is a major hub in India’s railway system. It connects many important areas and handles a lot of passenger traffic as well as goods like coal, cement, and food grains. It’s also key for pilgrims and tourists visiting the city, which boosts the local economy.

Current Challenges

The railway route between Varanasi and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction is very crowded, especially with the high volume of goods being transported. This congestion is causing delays, and the current infrastructure cannot keep up with the growing demand.

How will the Project Help?

To reduce this congestion, the project will include:

A new rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga
Additional third and fourth railway lines on important stretches

These improvements will increase the capacity for transporting both people and goods, making the system more efficient.

Once completed, the new bridge and railway lines will be able to handle 27.83 million tonnes of goods every year. This will make it easier to transport materials and products, helping the local economy grow.

Strategic Significance

This project is part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to improve connectivity across India through better transport planning. By integrating rail, road, and other transport systems, the project will make it easier for people, goods, and services to move smoothly in the region.

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