‘One of the biggest…’: New Indian Railways rail-road bridge over river Ganga in Varanasi approved by Cabinet

New Indian Railways bridge in Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet has approved a new rail-cum-road bridge in Varanasi over river Ganga. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the new rail-road bridge will be ‘one of the biggest’ in terms of transport capacity.
The new road bridge in Varanasi will have four railway lines and a six lane highway. The new bridge will be designed for a lifespan of 150 years and will be over one kilometre long.Vaishnaw said that given the complexity of the bridge structure, it will take around four years to complete it.
The new bridge will save diesel imports of about 8 crore litres per year, which translates into a saving of about Rs 638 crore per year.
The multi-tracking project, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,642 crore, aims to streamline operations and alleviate congestion on the busiest sections of Indian Railways. The project will provide essential infrastructural improvements and spans across the districts of Varanasi and Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh.
As a critical hub in Indian Railways, Varanasi Railway Station connects important zones and serves as a gateway for pilgrims, tourists, and the local population.
The route between Varanasi and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction is crucial for both passenger and freight traffic. However, it experiences significant congestion due to its role in transporting essential goods such as coal, cement, and foodgrains, as well as catering to the increasing demands of tourism and industry.
To tackle this challenge, infrastructure upgrades are necessary. These include the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga River and the introduction of 3rd and 4th railway lines.
These improvements are designed to enhance capacity, efficiency, and support the socio-economic development of the region. In addition to easing congestion along the stretch, the proposed section is expected to handle 27.83 MTPA of freight.
Covering two districts in Uttar Pradesh, the project will expand the existing network of Indian Railways by approximately 30 kilometers.
The Malviya bridge, situated in Kashi, is a crucial railway bridge that spans the Ganga river, linking the Northern, Eastern, and Western states of India. This rail-cum-road bridge, which is approximately 137 years old, consists of two rail lines and two road lanes.
Due to the bridge’s age and the oversaturation of the route between Varanasi and DDU, which currently stands at 163%, there is a pressing need to replace the Malviya bridge to ensure efficient and safe transportation across the region, Vaishnaw said.