India: Approval has been granted for three major railway projects in a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Approximately US$2bn will be spent on three multi-tracking projects, which the government says will strengthen the railway network. The routes are from Kasara to Manmad, from Delhi to Ambala, and from Ballari to Hospete. A third and fourth rail line will be laid on all these routes, which will help reduce traffic congestion.
This government says that the projects will speed up freight transport, with a capacity increase of 96Mt/yr. This includes key building materials like cement, coal, steel, grains and fertilisers. The government claims that using rail transport will reduce oil imports and help to reduce CO2 emissions, in line with the country's climate goals.