The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a multi-tracking project along the Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) railway route, with an estimated budget of ₹2,642 crore. This initiative aims to enhance freight movement efficiency and alleviate train congestion on one of India’s busiest railway corridors. The project will focus on key areas in the Uttar Pradesh districts of Varanasi and Chandauli, with a completion timeline of four years.

The Varanasi-DDU stretch is crucial for transporting essential goods such as coal, cement, and food grains. However, frequent congestion has impacted both passenger and freight services, primarily due to the increasing demands from tourism and industrial growth in the region. To address these challenges, the proposal includes the construction of third and fourth railway lines and a rail-road bridge over the Ganga River. These upgrades are expected to boost freight capacity, enabling the handling of up to 28 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.

Aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, this project will enhance multi-modal connectivity, emphasizing seamless logistics and integrated infrastructure development. The expansion will add approximately 30 kilometers to the existing railway network and is projected to generate around 10 lakh person-days of direct employment during the construction phase.

Utilizing rail transport, which is both energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable, will significantly reduce logistics costs while cutting CO₂ emissions by approximately 149 crore kilograms—equivalent to planting six crore trees. This development not only aims to alleviate transportation bottlenecks but also supports India’s climate goals and fosters economic self-reliance in the region through improved connectivity and job opportunities.