Five Rail Projects Get Cabinet Nod
Five multitracking projects across four states will add 540 km to the Indian Railways network
- Projects cover 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
- The works will improve connectivity to 2,121 villages serving around 52 lakh people.
- Rail capacity is expected to support an additional 47 million tonnes of freight annually.
- Projects are targeted for completion by 2029–30 under PM Gati Shakti.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 10th Sept: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved five multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of around ₹10,021 crore.
The approved projects include Arakkonam–Renigunta 3rd and 4th Line (77 km), Whitefield–Bangarapet 3rd and 4th Line (47 km), Hosur–Omalur Doubling (147 km), Salem–Karur–Dindigul Doubling (159 km) and multitracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet (110 km).
The five projects will cover 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and add about 540 km to the existing Indian Railways network. The projects are planned for completion by 2029–30.
The additional rail capacity is expected to improve mobility, streamline operations, reduce congestion and enhance operational efficiency and service reliability.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects focus on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. They are expected to facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods and services.
The projects will enhance rail connectivity to approximately 2,121 villages with a combined population of around 52 lakh.
Improved connectivity will also benefit several tourist destinations, including Tirupati, Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruttani, Sri Padmavati Ammavaari Temple at Tiruchanur, Kotilingeshwara Devaalaya, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogenakkal Falls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, Yadagirigutta Temple, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri and Swarnagiri Temple.
The routes are important for transporting commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products and fertilisers. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 47 million tonnes per annum.
According to the government, the projects will also contribute to lower logistics costs and climate goals by reducing oil imports by around 8 crore litres and CO₂ emissions by approximately 42 crore kg, equivalent to the plantation of around 2 crore trees.
