Varanasi: PM Modi’s cabinet gives green signal to construction of new rail-road bridge over Ganga
Varanasi: The Union Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the construction of a new rail-road bridge over the Ganga River in Varanasi, marking a momentous decision.
With four railway lines and six lanes for traffic, this bridge would be among the biggest in India, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
With a lifespan of 150 years, the bridge will be more than a kilometer long. According to TOI, the project would likely take four years to complete because of its intricate construction.
The new bridge will have a major effect on diesel imports, saving around 8 crore gallons a year, or Rs 638 crore in savings. The multi-tracking project, which is expected to cost a total of Rs 2,642 crore, aims to simplify operations and ease traffic on one of the busiest portions of Indian Railways.
The Varanasi Railway Station is an essential hub that connects key locations and accommodates both pilgrims and visitors. For both passenger and freight traffic, the route between Varanasi and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction is essential. But because of the transportation of necessities like coal, cement, and food grains, as well as the expanding needs of industry and tourists, it often experiences congestion.
The project will also entail the installation of the third and fourth railway lines in order to address these issues. It is anticipated that these modifications would increase efficiency and capacity, promoting the socioeconomic growth of the area. The planned segment will extend the current Indian Railways network by around 30 kilometers across the districts of Varanasi and Chandauli, with the goal of handling 27.83 million tons of freight annually.
The venerable Malviya Bridge, a vital rail link constructed around 137 years ago, connects Northern, Eastern, and Western India. According to Vaishnaw, rebuilding the Malviya Bridge is crucial to guaranteeing effective and secure traffic in the area since the existing route between Varanasi and DDU is only functioning at 163 percent capacity.
