Why in news
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four railway line multi-tracking projects across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Key points
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs sanctioned multi-tracking proposals covering approximately 410 kilometres of new track addition at a total estimated cost of ₹9,450 crore.
- Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, these projects target capacity expansion on congested freight and passenger corridors.
- The railway line additions enhance connectivity to over 6,448 villages and critical ecological and tourist zones including Bhitarkanika National Park and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The increased line capacity reduces operational bottlenecks, lowers freight transportation costs, and improves bulk goods movement efficiency across coastal and industrial belts.
Key terms
PM Gati Shakti
A multi-modal logistics national master plan designed to integrate infrastructure planning and break departmental silos.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
A Cabinet committee chaired by the Prime Minister that evaluates and decides on major economic policies and infrastructure investment proposals.
Prelims facts
- PM Gati Shakti uses GIS-based spatial planning platforms to align multimodal network infrastructure development across ministries.
Mains discussion
- Examine the role of multi-tracking rail corridor investments in reducing logistics costs and supporting regional economic growth.
Source: PIB English
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2020 · Q11 · GS IV · 20 marks
Case study. Parmal is a small but underdeveloped district. It has rocky terrain that is not suitable for agriculture, though some subsistence agriculture is being done on small plots of land. The area receives adequate rainfall and has an irrigation canal flowing through it. Amria, its administrative centre, is a medium sized town. It houses a large district hospital, an Industrial Training Institute and some privately owned skill training centres. It has all the facilities of a district headquarters. A trunk railway line passes approximately 50 kilometres from Amria. Its poor connectivity is a major reason for the absence of any major industry therein. The state government offers a 10 years tax holiday as an incentive to new industry. In 2010 Anil, an industrialist, decided to take benefits to set up Amria Plastic Works (APW) in Noora village, about 20 km from Amria. While the factory was being built, Anil hired the required key labour and got them trained at the skill training centres at Amria. This act of his made the key personnel very loyal to APW. APW started production in 2011 with the labour drawn fully from Noora village. The villagers were very happy to get employment near their homes and were motivated by the key personnel to meet the production targets with high quality. APW started making large profits, a sizeable portion of which was used to improve the quality of life in Noora. By 2016, Noora could boast of a greener village and a renovated village temple. Anil liaised with the local MLA to increase the frequency of the bus services to Amria. The government also opened a primary health care centre and primary school at Noora in buildings constructed by APW. APW used its CSR funds to set up women's self-help groups, subsidize primary education to the village children and procure an ambulance for use by its employees and the needy. In 2019, there was a minor fire in APW. It was quickly extinguished as fire safety protocols were in place in the factory. Investigations revealed that the factory had been using electricity in excess of its authorized capacity. This was soon rectified. The next year, due to a nationwide lockdown, the requirement of production fell for four months. Anil decided that all employees would be paid regularly. He employed them to plant trees and improve the village habitat. APW had developed a reputation of high-quality production and a motivated workforce. Critically analyse the story of APW and state the ethical issues involved. Do you consider APW as a role model for development of backward areas? Give reasons. -
2022 · Q6 · GS II · 10 marks
The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. -
2024 · Q34 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following activities: 1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft 2. Monitoring of precipitation 3. Tracking the migration of animals In how many of the above activities can the radars be used? -
2021 · Q73 · General Studies · 2 marks
The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of -
2025 · Q82 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavach' an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section. Which of the statements given above are not correct?