New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has today approved the construction of a new railway line in the Kutch district of Gujarat connecting Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹2,526 crore, will add 145 route km and 164 track km to the existing rail network of the state and is targeted for completion within three years.

The new line is expected to provide vital connectivity to the far-flung areas of the Kutch region, benefitting around 16 lakh people across 866 villages. It will include the development of 13 new railway stations, bringing large parts of western Kutch into the railway map for the first time.

According to the Railway Ministry, the line will serve both strategic and economic purposes. On the commercial side, it will support the transportation of commodities such as salt, cement, coal, clinker and bentonite, which are produced in abundance in the region. From a strategic perspective, the alignment will provide improved access to the Rann of Kutch and enhance logistical efficiency in the border district.

The project also holds significant potential for promoting tourism in Gujarat. Important cultural and historical sites including the Harappan site of Dholavira (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Koteshwar temple, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat fort will be connected through the new rail network, thereby boosting visitor inflow to these destinations.

Officials said the line would generate substantial employment during its construction, apart from contributing to reduced logistics costs and lower carbon emissions in line with sustainable transport goals.

The approval of this project is seen as a major step towards strengthening connectivity in Kutch and aligning with the government’s broader vision under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enhance multi-modal transport infrastructure. DeshGujarat