The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs 10,783 crore.
The projects will cover 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and add around 656 km to the existing railway network.
The approved projects include the Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth line, Katni-Pendra Road fourth line and Bilaspur (Uslapur)-Pendra Road third line.
The projects are expected to increase railway line capacity, improve mobility and enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of railway services. They will also help streamline train operations and reduce congestion on key routes.
According to the government, the projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on integrated planning, multimodal connectivity and improved logistics efficiency.
The projects are expected to provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services while supporting economic activity and employment opportunities in the regions covered.
The expanded railway network will improve connectivity to approximately 4,790 villages with a combined population of around 56 lakh.
The projects will also strengthen rail connectivity to several prominent tourist and religious destinations, including Taratarini Temple, the Shri Kshetra Jagannath Temple near Jharsuguda, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple.
The three routes are important for the transportation of key commodities, particularly coal, cement, iron and steel.
The capacity augmentation is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of around 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The government said the projects would also contribute to reducing logistics costs and supporting India’s climate goals, as railways are an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
The projects are estimated to reduce oil imports by around 12 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 62 crore kg, equivalent to the plantation of around 2.48 crore trees.
