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The Union Cabinet approved a rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga River, connecting the Varanasi and Chandauli districts of Uttar Pradesh, during its meeting on Wednesday. The bridge is set to feature a six-lane highway on the upper deck and four railway lines on the lower deck, marking a significant engineering advancement.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also serves as the Union Railways Minister, highlighted the importance of the existing Malviya Bridge, stating it is one of the crucial railway bridges over the Ganga. Constructed 137 years ago, the bridge currently accommodates two railway lines and two lanes for road traffic. Vaishnaw noted that the route between Varanasi and DDU Junction is oversaturated, operating at 163% capacity, underscoring the need for a replacement.
The new bridge, with an estimated investment of ?2,642 crore, aims to ease operations and alleviate congestion, providing essential infrastructural development on one of the busiest sections of Indian Railways. Varanasi Railway Station serves as a vital hub, connecting key regions and acting as a gateway for pilgrims, tourists, and local residents.
An official release stated that the Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction route, crucial for both passenger and freight traffic, faces significant congestion due to the transportation of goods such as coal, cement, and food grains, as well as increasing tourism and industrial demands.
To address these issues, the project will involve the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga, along with the addition of third and fourth railway lines. These upgrades aim to enhance capacity, efficiency, and socio-economic growth in the region, with an anticipated freight augmentation of 27.83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) on the proposed stretch.
This project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a New India, aimed at fostering comprehensive development in the area to enhance employment and self-employment opportunities. It is part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, which emphasizes integrated planning to provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.
The bridge will extend the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 30 kilometers, contributing to environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation. The project is expected to help the country achieve climate goals by minimizing logistics costs and lowering CO2 emissions by 149 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting six crore trees. |
