The Indian government’s cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) has approved the construction of a new 120 km broad gauge line between Gevra Road and Pendra Road in the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone.
“The line will be funded through a joint venture firms, consisting of IRCON International Ltd, a railway public sector company, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd and the Chhattisgarh state government with an investment of $157 million,” Railways Ministry said in a release.
IRCON will form the special purpose vehicle (SPV) with 26 per cent equity and Government of Chhattisgarh will transfer government land free of cost and will also hold 10 per cent equity in the project, either through capitalisation of land or through cash contribution, and SECL will take the balance equity.
The project is likely to be completed in the next five years during the 13th plan period.
It will provide rail link between Gevra Road and Pendra Road, which will drive traffic and development activities in this area.
This rail link will also facilitate serving the coal needs of Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
At present, the movement of coal traffic is being done through Gevra Road and Champa branch line.
Considering the additional traffic generated for coal from Sendurgarh, Hasdeo Arrand, Dipka, Gevra and Korba coal fields of SECL, this additional rail link is required for smooth movement of coal.
