New Delhi/Chandigarh, Feb 14: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Delhi and Ambala on Friday. The 194-km project, estimated at Rs 5,983 crore, is designed to reduce congestion and improve travel times for commuters heading toward Chandigarh and Jammu.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted on Saturday that the project holds strategic importance for the nation. “This expansion is vital for the efficient movement of troops from the capital to Jammu through Haryana districts like Sonepat and Panipat,” Vaishnaw mentioned during a briefing. He added that the additional tracks would significantly enhance passenger comfort on the high-traffic Delhi-Chandigarh corridor.
The project is slated for completion within four years and is expected to proceed without major land acquisition hurdles. Plans include the construction of one major bridge and 28 smaller ones, alongside the rehabilitation of existing structures. The initiative is also projected to generate 132 lakh man-days of employment while saving 43 crore kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
This approval was among the final decisions made at the South Block office before the Union Government transitioned to its new headquarters at Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan. A cabinet resolution noted that the move away from colonial-era buildings marks a shift toward modern workspaces designed to boost productivity. “The increased line capacity will enhance mobility and service reliability,” a cabinet note said, adding that the multi-tracking will alleviate current operational bottlenecks.
