The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently gave the green light to the Varanasi-Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) multi-tracking project at a cost of around Rs 2,642 crore. The project involves the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga river and the addition of third and fourth railway lines between Varanasi and DDU Junction, along with other essential infrastructural upgrades.
This project aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion, and provide much-needed development in one of the busiest sections of Indian Railways. The route passes through Varanasi and Chandauli districts in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi Railway Station plays a crucial role as a major hub connecting various zones and serving as a gateway for pilgrims, tourists, and locals.
Due to its significance in transporting goods like coal, cement, and food grains, as well as meeting the demands of tourism and industries, the Varanasi-DDU Junction route experiences heavy congestion. The project will address these issues by enhancing infrastructure, including the construction of a new bridge and the addition of additional railway lines, aiming to boost capacity, efficiency, and support socio-economic growth in the region.
The project is expected to handle 27.83 million tonnes of freight annually, providing a much-needed relief in congestion. It will also create employment and self-employment opportunities, contributing to the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity. By expanding the existing railway network in Uttar Pradesh by about 30 kilometers, the project will improve connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.
Furthermore, the environmentally friendly and energy-efficient nature of railways will help in achieving climate goals, reducing logistics costs, and lowering CO2 emissions by the equivalent of planting six crore trees. This project represents a significant step towards modernizing the railway infrastructure and supporting the socio-economic development of the region.
