New Rail-Cum-Road Bridge Over Ganga in Varanasi and Chandauli Approved
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga River, connecting Varanasi and Chandauli districts in Uttar Pradesh. This engineering marvel will feature a six-lane highway on the upper deck and four railway lines on the lower deck.
Importance of the Malviya Bridge
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the significance of the Malviya Bridge, a crucial rail-cum-road bridge built 137 years ago. The current route between Varanasi and DDU Junction is heavily congested, operating at 163% capacity.
Project Details
The new bridge, with an investment of Rs 2,642 crore, aims to ease operations and reduce congestion. It will support the socio-economic growth of the region by improving capacity and efficiency. The project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India, promoting self-reliance and development.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The project is part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, enhancing multi-modal connectivity. It will expand the Indian Railways network by 30 km, reduce CO2 emissions, and contribute to climate goals, equivalent to planting 6 crore trees.
Doubts Revealed
Union Cabinet -: The Union Cabinet is a group of top government officials in India, including the Prime Minister and other important ministers. They make important decisions for the country.
Rail-Cum-Road Bridge -: A rail-cum-road bridge is a special type of bridge that allows both trains and vehicles to cross over it. This means it has tracks for trains and lanes for cars and trucks.
Ganga River -: The Ganga River is one of the longest and most important rivers in India. It is considered sacred by many people and flows through several states, including Uttar Pradesh.
Varanasi and Chandauli -: Varanasi is a famous city in Uttar Pradesh known for its temples and ghats along the Ganga River. Chandauli is a nearby district in the same state.
Rs 2,642 crore -: Rs 2,642 crore is a large amount of money, where ‘Rs’ stands for Indian Rupees. A crore is equal to ten million, so this project costs a lot of money.
Varanasi-DDU Junction -: The Varanasi-DDU Junction is a busy railway route in Uttar Pradesh. It connects Varanasi with other important places and often has a lot of train traffic.
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the government and makes important decisions for the country.
Self-reliant India -: A self-reliant India means that the country aims to be independent and strong, making its own goods and services without relying too much on other countries.
CO2 emissions -: CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the air. Reducing these emissions is important for protecting the environment and fighting climate change.