NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved eight railway projects worth approximately Rs 20,804 crore aimed at enhancing rail capacity, reducing congestion, and improving operational efficiency across key routes.
During the Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the approved projects are part of the Railways’ modernisation drive undertaken over the past 12 years. He said the initiative, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, includes the four-laning and quadrupling of seven high-density railway corridors, along with several other corridors expected to handle significant traffic in the future.
Among the approved projects are three multi-tracking works worth Rs 10,783 crore, covering the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth line, the Katni–Pendra Road fourth line, and the Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road third line.
The three projects will span 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, adding approximately 656 km to the existing Indian Railways network. They are expected to strengthen connectivity to around 4,790 villages and benefit a population of nearly 56 lakh.
The Cabinet has also approved five railway projects worth approximately Rs 10,021 crore, covering key routes across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
The five approved projects include
• Arakkonam–Renigunta third and fourth line: 77 km
• Whitefield–Bangarapet third and fourth line: 47 km
• Hosur–Omalur doubling: 147 km
• Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling: 159 km
• Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet multitracking: 110 km
Together, these projects will add approximately 540 km to the Indian Railways network and cover 17 districts. The multi-tracking works are expected to improve connectivity to around 2,121 villages, benefiting a population of nearly 52 lakh.
The increased line capacity is expected to enhance mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability, while streamlining train operations and helping reduce congestion across key routes.
Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to strengthen multimodal connectivity and improve logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. They are expected to facilitate seamless movement of passengers, goods and services across the railway network.
The projects are also expected to strengthen rail connectivity to several major tourist and cultural destinations, including Tirupati, Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruttani, Sri Padmavati Ammavaari Temple in Tiruchanur, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogenakkal Falls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Yadagirigutta Temple and Bhongir Fort, among others.
The routes are also strategically important for the transportation of key commodities, including coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products and fertilisers.
The capacity augmentation under the five projects is expected to generate an additional 47 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) of freight traffic. The projects are also projected to reduce logistics costs and cut oil imports by around 8 crore litres, while lowering CO2 emissions by approximately 42 crore kg—equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting nearly 2 crore trees.
For the three projects approved earlier, the capacity augmentation is expected to support an additional 27 MTPA of freight traffic, reduce oil imports by around 12 crore litres and cut CO2 emissions by approximately 62 crore kg. The reduction in emissions is estimated to be equivalent to the environmental impact of planting nearly 2.48 crore trees.
