New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS): The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new railway line between Bahraich and Khalilabad in Uttar Pradesh, which will provide basic infrastructural support for industrial development in five districts, besides boosting tourism in the region.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cleared the Rs 4,939.78 crore project, which will be completed by 2024-25, a statement said.

The proposed 240 km line that will serve Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti and Siddharth Nagar and Sant Kabirnagar, providing rail facility to the people of the area and helping to grow small scale industries.

The approved line passes through the Shravasti (Bhinga) district, which is an important tourist place and closely associated with the life of Gautam Buddha.

Shravasti is also an important tourist centre for Jains as the Sobhanath temple is believed to be the birthplace of the Tirthankara Sambhavanath.

The Devi Patan temple in Tulsipur which is close to Balrampur town, is one of the famous 51 Shakti Peethas of Maa Durga. The project would generate direct employment during construction for about 57.67 lakh man-days, it added.

The new direct broad gauge line would provide basic infrastructure support for industrial development having large socio-economic ramification. It would also provide an alternative route of Bahraich-Khalilabad and connect the border districts.