Modi Govt Clears Two Major Rail Projects
₹3,907 crore investment to add 145 km of railway lines across Odisha and Jharkhand by 2030-31
- Cabinet approves two railway multitracking projects worth ₹3,907 crore.
- Projects to add 145 km to the rail network in Odisha and Jharkhand.
- Around 14 lakh people across 1,526 villages to benefit from improved connectivity.
- Capacity expansion expected to boost freight movement and reduce carbon emissions.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th July: The Union Cabinet has approved two major railway multitracking projects worth ₹3,907 crore to strengthen rail infrastructure in Odisha and Jharkhand, enhancing connectivity, freight movement and operational efficiency across the region.
Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the projects include the Paradeep-Haridaspur doubling and the Rajkharsawan-Dangoaposi fourth line. Both projects are targeted for completion by 2030-31.
The projects will add approximately 145 kilometres to the existing Indian Railways network and are planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
According to the government, the enhanced rail network will benefit nearly 1,526 villages with a combined population of around 14 lakh, while improving connectivity to key tourist destinations such as the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple, and Meghahatuburu Hills.
The routes are also crucial for transporting bulk commodities including coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum. The capacity augmentation is expected to facilitate an additional 44 million tonnes of freight annually, easing congestion and improving service reliability.
The government said the projects will contribute to India’s climate goals by reducing logistics costs, saving nearly 6 crore litres of fuel, and cutting 29 crore kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to planting one crore trees.
Officials said the multitracking projects will support economic growth, generate employment opportunities and strengthen regional connectivity while advancing the vision of an efficient and sustainable railway network.
