The Indian Cabinet clears ₹6,405 Cr rail projects, adding 318 km; set to boost network efficiency and freight capacity by 49 MTPA.
In a significant move to bolster the nation’s transportation infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved two major multi-tracking projects for Indian Railways, with a combined estimated cost of ₹6,405 crore. These ambitious initiatives will add approximately 318 kilometres to the existing railway network across seven districts in Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
The approved projects include:
- Koderma – Barkakana Doubling (133 Kms): This vital section traverses a major coal-producing region in Jharkhand and serves as the shortest, most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi.
- Ballari – Chikjajur Doubling (185 Kms): This crucial line extends through the Ballari and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
These multi-tracking proposals are designed to significantly enhance mobility, improve operational efficiency, and boost service reliability for Indian Railways by streamlining operations and alleviating congestion on critical routes.
Beyond capacity augmentation, the projects are poised to deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits. They are expected to generate direct employment amounting to approximately 108 lakh human-days during their construction phase. Furthermore, they will improve connectivity to an estimated 1,408 villages, serving a population of around 28.19 lakh.
The augmented capacity will facilitate the transportation of an additional 49 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of essential commodities such as coal, iron ore, finished steel, cement, fertilisers, agricultural products, and petroleum. As an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, these railway expansions will play a key role in achieving India’s climate goals by reducing oil imports by 52 crore litres and lowering CO₂ emissions by 264 crore kg, an impact equivalent to planting 11 crore trees.
These projects align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ and are a direct outcome of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, ensuring integrated planning and seamless movement of people, goods, and services across the nation.
Source: PIB
