Cabinet clears eight railway projects worth over ₹20,800 crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved eight railway infrastructure projects with a combined estimated cost of more than ₹20,800 crore. The projects, aimed at augmenting rail capacity, easing congestion, and improving connectivity, will cover several districts across nine states. 

Three projects worth ₹10,783 crore 

In one set of approvals, the CCEA has sanctioned three multi-tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways at a total estimated cost of ₹10,783 crore. These include the fourth line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda (Bagdehi), the fourth line between Katni and Pendra Road, and the third line between Bilaspur (Uslapur), and Pendra Road. 

The increased line capacity is expected to improve mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability across the railway network. The multi-tracking works will also help streamline train operations and ease congestion on key routes. 

The three projects will cover 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and add approximately 656 km to the existing Indian Railways network. The projects are expected to enhance connectivity to around 4,790 villages with a combined population of approximately 56 lakh. 

Boost to freight movement 

The routes covered by the projects are important for the transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron, and steel. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), strengthening the movement of goods across the regions. 

The expansion of railway infrastructure is also expected to help reduce the country's logistics costs. As railways are an energy-efficient and relatively environment-friendly mode of transportation, the projects are expected to contribute to India's climate goals. According to the government, the works could help reduce oil imports by around 12 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by around 62 crore kg, equivalent to the carbon absorption potential of about 2.48 crore trees. 

Five more projects approved 

In a separate approval, the CCEA has sanctioned five railway projects of the Ministry of Railways at an estimated cost of approximately ₹10,021 crore. The projects include the third and fourth lines between Arakkonam and Renigunta, covering 77 km; the third and fourth lines between Whitefield and Bangarapet, covering 47 km; doubling of the Hosur-Omalur section over 147 km; doubling of the Salem-Karur-Dindigul section over 159 km; and multi-tracking of the Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet section over 110 km. 

These projects are expected to increase line capacity, improve operational efficiency and service reliability, and reduce congestion on some of the key railway corridors in southern and central India. 

Connectivity to 2,121 villages 

The five projects will cover 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana and are expected to add around 540 km to the existing Indian Railways network. Once completed, the projects will improve connectivity to approximately 2,121 villages with a combined population of around 52 lakh. 

The projects are also expected to facilitate the smoother movement of passengers, freight and essential services while supporting economic activity in the regions covered by the new railway infrastructure. 

The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.