New Delhi, Aug 19: In a bid to expand Bihar’s National Highway network and facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the upgradation of an 82.578 km length of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa Section of NH-22 to four-lane, at a total capital cost of Rs 3,590.73 crore.

The project acts as a key feeder corridor connecting the India–Nepal border at Sonbarsa with economic centres like Muzaffarpur at NH-27 (East–West Corridor).

According to the Cabinet, this will significantly reduce congestion in densely populated areas of Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi, and Sonbarsa.

“The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa stretch of NH-22 holds significant strategic and economic relevance, ensuring seamless linkage to the national freight grid,” a Cabinet communique said.

It not only enhances connectivity to industrial zones like Barauni and riverine logistics hubs but also strengthens cross-border passenger and cargo movement via the nearby Land Port at Bhithamore.

Additionally, the upgraded corridor will enhance connectivity to five PM Gati-Shakti Economic Nodes (four Industrial Estates and one Mega Food Park), four Social Nodes (Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janki Temple, Punaura Dham, Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi aspirational Districts), and two Logistic Nodes (Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi Railway Stations).

Improved connectivity will facilitate efficient movement of goods and agricultural supply chains, support regional economic growth, and provide better access to important cultural and religious destinations such as the Buddhist Circuit and historic Janaki Punaura Dham Temple, Sitamarhi.

According to the Cabinet, the project has been designed for a speed of 100 kmph with an average speed of 80 kmph, having no at-grade median openings, ensuring fast and safe travel.

Moreover, the project has provision for seven major bridges (including a 340-metre-long major bridge over the perennial Bagmati River), three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), and two flyovers to maintain cross movement of the traffic and ensure safe, high-speed travel.

New Delhi, Aug 19: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved four multi-tracking railway projects with a total investment of Rs 9,450 crore, which will be completed by 2030-31.

The projects include the Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th Line across a stretch of 173 km covering West Bengal and Odisha; the second project is a 4th line from Bhadrak to Haridaspur across 75 km in Odisha, while the third is the Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th line extending across a distance of 90 km in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, a Cabinet communique said.

The fourth project is the Cuttack to Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th lines to cover a 72 km route in Odisha.

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a New India, which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance employment opportunities, the statement said.

The projects are planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The four projects covering eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 410 km. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages with a population of about 60 lakh, the statement said.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali temple, Maa Dhamarai temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari–Udaypur and Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri, a Buddhist site.

The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 76 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways, being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import ( around 13 crore litres) and lower CO2 emissions (around 65 crore kg), which is equivalent to the plantation of 2.60 crore trees, the statement added.

Bhopal, Aug 19: A 35-year-old man was killed and his minor son critically injured after a speeding Innova car being driven by an inebriated youth hit several people before ramming into their scooter in Bhopal’s Kolar area, police said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred around midnight on Tuesday near Ankit Parisar when Shubham Awasthi and his son Madhav were travelling on their scooter, police said.

Kolar police station SHO, Sanjay Soni, said the 21-year-old driver was allegedly heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident.

“The driver was heavily intoxicated. Instead of applying the brakes, he mistakenly pressed the accelerator, causing the car to go out of control,” Soni said.

The speeding vehicle allegedly hit several people on the road before crashing into the scooter. The impact was so severe that the scooter was badly damaged and the father and son were thrown several metres away, police said.

According to police, the accused had borrowed the vehicle from an acquaintance to attend a party. An empty liquor bottle, another liquor bottle, disposable cups and condoms were reportedly found inside the car.

The vehicle’s airbags deployed after the collision, helping the accused escape serious injuries, police said.

The accident triggered anger among bystanders, who allegedly caught the driver and assaulted him. The crowd also damaged the vehicle.

Police reached the spot after being alerted, rescued the accused from the mob and took him into custody.

“The police team reached the spot and rescued the accused from the crowd before taking him into custody. We are examining the evidence and questioning witnesses to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident,” Soni said.

Awasthi was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was sent for post-mortem examination and will be handed over to his family, police said.

His son Madhav sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Police have launched an investigation into the accident and are examining the circumstances in which the accused allegedly drove the vehicle after consuming alcohol.