Rail Minister Highlights Economic Growth, Tourism and Green Energy Goals in MP
New Delhi, May 29, 2025: Union Minister for Railways, IT and I&B, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, briefed Ratlam-Nagda 3rd and 4th line cabinet decision during a press conference held at Rail Bhawan today. The ₹1,000+ crore infrastructure initiative aims to significantly enhance rail capacity on the congested Delhi-Mumbai route, one of the busiest freight and passenger corridors in the country.
Joining the event virtually, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, extended his support for the development, highlighting the project’s impact on boosting regional connectivity and economic growth. The press conference witnessed the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Anil Firojia, Hon’ble MP, Ujjain alot , who attended the event at Rail Bhawan and Shri Chetanya Kashyap, Hon’ble Minister of MSME, Government of Madhya Pradesh, who joined via video conferencing.
Also present via VC were Smt. Anita Nagar Singh Chauhan, Hon’ble MP; Shri Mathura Lal Damar, Hon’ble MLA; and Dr. Tej Bahadur Singh Chauhan, Hon’ble MLA, reaffirming their commitment to infrastructure development in the state.The conference also saw participation from local media representatives based in Ratlam and Bhopal, who joined from DRM offices, underlining the regional importance of the transformative rail project.
Speaking at the event, Shri Vaishnaw emphasised that the project will improve connectivity between Madhya Pradesh and major ports on the west coast, benefiting industries in MP, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Additionally, industrial zones such as the Indore and Chhindwara SEZs, MMPL Indore and MMLP Bhopal, along with Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Madhya Pradesh’s investment corridors, are poised to receive a substantial boost. With 75% of the required land already available, the project is expected to be completed within the next 3 to 4 years.
Beyond easing freight movement of coal, petroleum products, containers and agricultural produce, the project will support major industries in Nagda and Ratlam, including thermal power and viscose manufacturing units. It will also Boost access to iconic tourism destinations such as Khajuraho, Gwalior, Kanha National Park, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Sanchi Stupa, Ujjain, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Amarkantak and Bhim Janmabhoomi.
The project promises notable environmental and economic benefits, including the creation of 28 lakh human-days of employment, an estimated annual saving of 7.5 crore litres of diesel and a reduction of 38 crore kilograms of CO₂ emissions in its first year, equivalent to planting 1.5 crore trees.
