The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved a new rail line project worth Rs 4,939.78 crore between Bahraich and Khalilabad, serving five districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The new rail line will pass through Bhinga, Shravasti, Balrampur, Utraula, Domariyaganj, Mehdawal and Bansi.

The project will be completed by 2024-25 and will generate direct employment for about 57.67 lakh man-days.

The total length of the broad gauge line will be 240.26 km and will lie in North Eastern Railway.

The new rail line is expected to promote religious tourism in the region as it passes through sites like Shravasti and is likely to help in growth of small scale industries in the region, the government said in a press release.

"It will provide a direct broad gauge route to the project area which may boost the economic development of the region. This will also provide an alternative route of Bahraich-Khalilabad and connect border districts to each other," the government said.