Cabinet okays Rs 2,796 crore funds for new rail lines

New Delhi, Aug 16 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved funding worth Rs 2,796 crores for setting up new railway lines and gauge conversion projects across the country.

The project had been approved 'in principle' earlier and announced in the Railway Minister's Budget Speech this year, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said after the CCEA meeting.

The Bhojipura-Pilhibit-Tanakpur Gauge Conversion with 101 Km at an estimated cost of Rs 145 crores is proposed to be completed by 2009-10.

The Chota Udepur-Dhar New Line at a cost of Rs 570 crores on a distance of 157 Kms will be through by 2012-13.

While the Chandigarh-Baddi new Line of 33 Km at an estimated cost of Rs 328 crores will finish by 2011-12.

The Bihta-Aurangabad via Anugraha Narayan Road New line covering a distance of 118 Km at an estimated cost of Rs 326 crore is scheduled to be completed by 2011-12.

The Sultanganj-Katuria via Asarganj and Belhar new line of 75 Kms at an estimated cost of 289 Km will be completed by 2011-12.

The Rayadurg-Tumkur New Line, a distance of 213 Km to be build at an estimated cost of Rs 887 crores will be completed by 2011-12, Mr Chidambaram said.

UNI