New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the doubling of the 172.64 km Rajpura-Bhatinda railway line in Punjab to generate additional freight traffic.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The project will cost Rs 1,251.25 crore, an official statement said. The doubling of the railway line is expected to be completed in five years, it said.
"Enhancement of capacity of power plants and planned freight terminals will generate additional freight traffic on this route. The doubling will ease the traffic bottlenecks and bring more revenue to Indian Railways."
The districts of Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala and Bhatinda would benefit from the project.
Presently, the Rajpura-Dhuri-Bathinda is a single line broad gauge non-electrified section.