POST NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi, Nov 18: With an aim to increase connectivity and expand transportation network in backward regions of the state, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Wednesday approved doubling of the Koraput-Singapur railway line.
The 164.56 km railway line will be completed in seven years during the 12th and 13th plan period. The government has earmarked Rs 2361.74 crore for the project.
‘Doubling of this line will greatly ease the ever increasing freight between these sections thereby increasing the revenue of railways,’ said a release. It said both Koraput and Rayagada districts will benefit from this project.
The existing Koraput-Singapur line is used as a transportation corridor for goods traffic mainly for minerals and mine products. The demand of goods traffic on the existing single line is increasing due to a rise in production of goods and minerals in the vast catchment areas.
The cabinet committee also approved doubling of two more railway lines such as Kottavalasa-Koraput railway line of 189.278 km and Jagdalpur-Koraput section railway line of 110.22 km with an investment of Rs 2977.64 crore and Rs 1839.02 crore respectively.
These two lines will improve communication and transportation of goods in several adjoining backward districts of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Kottavalasa-Koraput line will benefit Koraput district, Vizianagaram and Vishakaphatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh while Jagdalpur-Koraput line will bring development in Koraput district and Bastar district.
Doubling of these lines would bring economic development and help reducing Naxal activities in these regions, the release added.