The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of ₹3,907 crore, aimed at enhancing rail capacity, improving connectivity and strengthening freight movement in Odisha and Jharkhand.
The approved projects are the Paradeep–Haridaspur doubling project and the Rajkharsawan–Dangoaposi fourth line project. Together, the projects will add around 145 kilometres to the existing Indian Railways network and are scheduled to be completed by 2030–31.
According to the government, the projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on integrated infrastructure planning to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
In an official statement, the government said the enhanced rail capacity would significantly improve mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability while easing congestion on key freight corridors.
“The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India and will make the people of the region ‘Atmanirbhar’ through comprehensive development, enhancing employment and self-employment opportunities,” the statement said.
The projects cover four districts across Odisha and Jharkhand and are expected to improve rail connectivity for around 1,526 villages with a combined population of nearly 14 lakh.
The capacity augmentation is also expected to improve access to several tourist destinations, including the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple, and Meghahatuburu Hills.
The government said the routes are crucial for transporting key commodities such as coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum. Once completed, the projects are expected to facilitate an additional 44 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.
Highlighting the environmental benefits, the government said the enhanced rail infrastructure would help reduce logistics costs, save approximately 6 crore litres of oil imports, and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 29 crore kilograms. The reduction in emissions is equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting one crore trees.
The Centre said the projects would contribute to strengthening India’s transport infrastructure while supporting economic growth, regional development and the country’s climate goals through greater use of rail-based freight transport.
