The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
Cabinet gives nod to four multitracking projects worth ₹9,450 crore: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved four railway line projects and one highway project with a total investment of Rs 13,041 crore. This project aimed at strengthening rail and road connectivity, improve freight movement, and ease congestion across key routes.
The Cabinet approved the Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) fourth-line project at an estimated cost of Rs 3,352 crore. It also cleared the Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth-line project, which will involve an investment of Rs 1,583 crore. Another major railway project approved is the 90 km Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth-line project, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,229 crore. The fourth railway project is the Cuttack-Paradeep third and fourth-line project, which has been approved at Rs 2,286 crore.
The projects span 410 km across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The other two projects approved by the CCEA are the 173-km Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) fourth line, covering West Bengal and Odisha. The Cabinet also approved a four-lane highway project connecting Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and Sonbarsa in Bihar. The additional railway lines are expected to improve capacity on key routes, support smoother movement of passengers and freight, and help address congestion on busy railway corridors.
The four projects covering eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 410 km. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages with a population of about 60 lakh, the statement said. The centre estimated that capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 76 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The expansion is expected to support industries and improve the efficiency of the country’s logistics network. The government has also highlighted the environmental benefits of the projects, stating that enhanced rail transportation will help reduce dependence on energy-intensive modes of transport. The projects are expected to save around 13 crore liters of oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 65 crore kg, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around 2.6 crore trees.
The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. The railway projects will also facilitate the transportation of key commodities, including coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains.
The projects are also expected to improve rail access to several tourist, religious, and heritage destinations in Odisha and other states. These include Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali Temple, Maa Dhamarai Temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari-Udaypur, Chandipur Beach, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri.
The railway expansion is expected to strengthen connectivity in Odisha, particularly along important industrial and freight corridors. The multi-tracking projects are also expected to streamline train operations and reduce congestion on existing routes.
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