DOUBLING OF NIMACH-RATLAM RAILWAY LINE

DOUBLING OF NIMACH-RATLAM RAILWAY LINE

Context:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the doubling of the Nimach-Ratlam railway line. 

About the Project:

• The estimated cost of the project will be Rs.1,095.88 crore and its escalated / completion cost is Rs.1,184.67 crore. 
• The total length of the doubling of the line is 132.92 km. 
• The project will be completed in 4 years.
• The line capacity usage of the Nimach-Ratlam section is up to 145.6% with maintenance blocks.
• The project route section has become over-saturated well above optimum capacity even without a maintenance block.
• The inward freight traffic carried is coal for captive power plants of cement companies.
• Traffic on the section will increase on account of new cement industries coming up due to the presence of huge deposits of cement grade limestone in the Nimach - Chittorgarh area.

Significance of Doubling of Nimach-Ratlam Section:

• It will increase the capacity of the section. Thus, more goods and passenger trains can be introduced on the system.
• It will provide easy connectivity as well result in the socio-economic development of the region.
• It will also boost tourism in the area as many historical sites including Fort of Unchagarh are situated in the project area.