The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has granted approval for three significant projects spearheaded by the Ministry of Railways, with a combined estimated cost of approximately Rs. 6,456 crores.
These strategic projects aim to significantly enhance logistical efficiency across the nation by extending railway connectivity to previously underserved areas, increasing the capacity of existing railway lines, and bolstering the overall transportation network.
This, in turn, is expected to streamline supply chains and accelerate economic growth. The newly proposed railway lines are set to establish direct connectivity, thus improving mobility and providing Indian Railways with greater operational efficiency and service reliability.
The multi-tracking proposals, which involve laying additional tracks on some of the busiest sections of the railway network, will alleviate operational challenges and reduce congestion, addressing critical infrastructure needs within Indian Railways.
These initiatives are closely aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary goal of building a “New India,” which aspires to make the nation “Atmanirbhar” or self-reliant. By fostering comprehensive regional development, these projects are expected to open up new avenues for employment and self-employment, thereby contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of the areas involved.
The projects are part of the broader PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, which emphasizes integrated planning to ensure seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services. Covering seven districts across four states—Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh—these projects will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 300 kilometers.
The construction of 14 new stations as part of these projects will significantly enhance connectivity, particularly benefiting two Aspirational Districts, Nuapada and East Singhbhum. The new railway lines will directly connect approximately 1,300 villages, impacting the lives of nearly 11 lakh people, while the multi-tracking project is expected to improve connectivity for about 1,300 villages and 19 lakh residents.
These routes are vital for the transportation of essential commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone. The capacity enhancement works are anticipated to generate an additional freight traffic capacity of 45 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
Given that railways are an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, these projects will contribute to achieving the country’s climate goals. The enhanced railway infrastructure is projected to reduce the nation’s logistics costs, cut down on oil imports by an estimated 10 crore liters, and lower CO2 emissions by 240 crore kilograms—an impact equivalent to planting approximately 9.7 crore trees.
By fostering sustainable growth, these projects are poised to transform the transportation landscape, ensuring enhanced connectivity, reduced environmental impact, and improved logistical efficiency, ultimately contributing to the nation’s long-term economic prosperity.
