Title - Cabinet to give clearance for fencing of Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata rail routes

Cabinet is all set to clear the ambitious project of Indian Railways involving fencing of existing Delhi - Kolkata and Delhi - Mumbai route so that 160 km per hour Train speed can be achieved consistently. This project will cost 18000 crore rupees. Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi - Kolkata are the busiest train corridor currently in India. In the proposal, apart from upgradation of signalling system, installation of modern communication devices and elimination of unmanned level crossing are also involved. The length of Delhi - Howrah route is 1450 km, while the length of Delhi - Mumbai rail corridor 1384 km.

According to a senior official of railway ministry, proposal has already been cleared by Finance ministry, Niti Aayog and Railway Board. Railway is aiming to achieve 200 km per hour but only after 160 km per hour speed is achieved on a consistent basis. Railway has also weighed the return on both these corridors it will get after such a huge investment.