India Approves $250 Million Railway Line

Why this is here: The railway is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 million kilograms, a figure comparable to planting ten million trees.

India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a ₹20,667 crore (roughly $250 million USD) project to build a semi-high-speed double line railway from Ahmedabad to Dholera, Gujarat. The 134-kilometer line aims to reduce travel time between the cities to 48 minutes.

The project will connect Ahmedabad with Dholera Special Investment Region, the Dholera Airport, and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex. Indian Railways plans to use domestically developed technology for this first semi-high-speed railway.

The new line will serve approximately 284 villages with a combined population of around 500,000 people. Officials anticipate the railway will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 million kilograms, equivalent to planting ten million trees. The project’s full impact on local economies and long-term sustainability remains to be seen.