The Railway Project Management Board has submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Construction, outlining a first phase focused on addressing critical infrastructure constraints, enhancing safety and increasing transport capacity.
Authorities expect the investment policy to be appraised and approved in the first quarter, with a feasibility study to be carried out in the second quarter.
Once completed, the project is expected to modernise rail infrastructure, extend asset lifespans, cut production and annual maintenance costs, and strengthen train safety, thereby improving overall transport capacity and service quality.
Planned route adjustments and gentler curves would allow more trains to operate on the line, increasing freight and passenger volumes, lowering transport costs and supporting local economic development.
The upgrade is projected to lift freight volumes along the entire line by 1.3-1.5 times and passenger numbers by 1.5-1.6 times. Average passenger train speeds are expected to exceed 80 kilometres per hour, while freight trains could reach 50 kilometres per hour.
The project also aims to accommodate oversized cargo, ease road congestion and reduce rail accidents and losses along the north-south corridor.
