Cabinet Clears ₹10,783 Crore Rail Projects
Three multitracking projects across five states will add 656 km to the Indian Railways network
- Projects cover 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- The works will improve connectivity to around 4,790 villages with 56 lakh people.
- Rail capacity is expected to increase freight movement by 27 million tonnes annually.
- Projects are targeted for completion by 2029–30 under the PM Gati Shakti framework.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 10th Sept: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved three multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of ₹10,783 crore.
The approved projects include the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line, Katni–Pendra Road 4th Line and Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd Line.
Together, the projects will add about 656 km to the existing Indian Railways network and cover 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The projects are planned for completion by 2029–30.
The additional rail lines are expected to increase network capacity, reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency and service reliability. The projects will also enhance connectivity to around 4,790 villages with a combined population of approximately 56 lakh.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects focus on integrated planning, multimodal connectivity and improved logistics efficiency, facilitating the movement of people, goods and services.
The enhanced rail connectivity will benefit several tourist destinations, including Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra 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 projects will also strengthen transportation routes for commodities including coal, cement, iron and steel. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 27 million tonnes per annum.
According to the government, greater use of railways as an energy-efficient and environment-friendly mode of transport is expected to reduce logistics costs, save around 12 crore litres of oil imports and lower CO₂ emissions by approximately 62 crore kg. The estimated emission reduction is equivalent to planting around 2.48 crore trees.
