1,196 km of new tracks across 9 states
New Delhi, Sept 9: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved eight multitracking projects worth about Rs 20,804 crore, adding nearly 1,196 km to the Indian Railways network across nine states and aimed at easing congestion, improving connectivity and boosting freight movement.
The projects, planned for completion by 2029-30, cover 31 districts in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
According to the government, the projects will improve connectivity to around 6,911 villages, with a combined population of nearly 1.08 crore.
The approvals comprise three projects covering about 656 km at an estimated cost of Rs 10,783 crore in eastern and central India, and five projects covering about 540 km at a cost of Rs 10,021 crore in southern and central regions.
The first set includes the Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth line, Katni-Pendra Road fourth line and Bilaspur (Uslapur)-Pendra Road third line.
The second set includes the Arakkonam-Renigunta third and fourth lines (77 km), Whitefield-Bangarapet third and fourth lines (47 km), Hosur-Omalur doubling (147 km), Salem-Karur-Dindigul doubling (159 km) and Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet multitracking (110 km).
The government said the additional line capacity would help streamline train operations, reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency and service reliability.
The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with an emphasis on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
The eastern and central projects are expected to generate additional freight capacity of about 27 million tonnes per annum, particularly for commodities including coal, cement, iron and steel.
The southern projects are projected to add another 47 million tonnes per annum of freight capacity, catering to commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, foodgrains, petroleum products and fertilisers.
The government said the expanded network would also strengthen rail connectivity to several tourist and religious destinations, including Tirupati, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Amarkantak, Taratarini Temple, Jagannath Temple near Jharsuguda, Kodaikanal Hills, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and Yadagirigutta Temple.
The projects are also expected to reduce dependence on road-based freight movement and lower logistics and fuel costs. The first set of projects is estimated to save about 12 crore litres of oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 62 crore kg, while the second set is projected to save around 8 crore litres of oil and cut emissions by approximately 42 crore kg.
The Cabinet said the projects would facilitate smoother movement of people, goods and services while supporting economic activity and employment opportunities in the regions covered.
Together, the eight projects represent a major capacity-expansion push by the Railways, with completion targeted by 2029-30.
