New Delhi (NVI): Prime Ministers Narendra Modi today dedicated ‘Kosi Rail Mahasetu’ to the nation along with a dozen of other rail projects worth Rs 3,000 crore in Bihar, aimed at electrification of railways, promoting Make in India in this sector as well as providing employment in the same.
“Today, new history has been created in the field of rail connectivity in Bihar. The dozen of projects worth Rs 3000 crores including the Kosi Mahasetu and Kiul Bridge launched today will strengthen the rail network in the State,” PM Modi said in his virtual address while inaugurating the projects.
A new railway bridge on the Kiul River, two new railway lines, five electrification projects, one electric locomotive shed at Barauni and a third line project between Barh-Bakhtiyarpur are some of the other projects inaugurated by PM through video conferencing today.
He said that around 4 years ago, two Mahasetu connecting North and South Bihar were started, one in Patna and the other in Munger. “The commissioning of these two rail bridges, makes conveyance easier and comfortable for people between North & South Bihar,” PM said.
Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal was also present at the event. He said that Kosi Rail Mega Bridge will not only connect two places but also help the state’s economy grow. “This will aid in the overall development of the state,” he said.
On the occasion, PM Modi said: “In Bihar today, most powerful electric engines of 12,000 horsepower are being made. Another big achievement for Bihar is that at present, more than 90 per cent of railway network is electrified. In the last six years, electrification of more that 3000 km of railway track has been done.”
The historical project to build the bridge, which is 1.9 kilometres long and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 516 crore, was sanctioned by the Centre in 2003-04. The bridge also has strategic importance along the India-Nepal border.
-ARK
