The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to eight projects proposed by the Ministry of Railways, with an estimated total cost of approximately Rs. 24,657 crore. These new railway line initiatives are set to enhance direct connectivity and boost mobility, leading to increased efficiency and reliability in Indian Railways’ services.
These projects align with Prime Minister Modi’s Vision of a New India, aiming to empower the local population by fostering comprehensive regional development, thereby increasing employment and self-employment opportunities. These initiatives are a part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focused on multi-modal connectivity.
Through integrated planning, they will facilitate seamless movement of people, goods, and services. The eight projects, spanning 14 districts across seven states—Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana, and West Bengal—will expand the Indian Railways’ network by an additional 900 kilometers.
Moreover, 64 new stations will be constructed, enhancing connectivity for six aspirational districts (East Singhbhum, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada), around 510 villages, and a population of approximately 40 lakh. The Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will also be connected to the Indian Railway Network, facilitating easier access for tourists.
These routes are vital for the transport of key commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminum powder, granite, ballast, and containers. The capacity augmentation resulting from these projects is expected to handle an additional 143 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.
As an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation mode, the railways will contribute to achieving climate goals, lowering the country’s logistics costs, reducing oil imports by 32.20 crore liters, and cutting down CO2 emissions by 0.87 million tonnes—equivalent to planting 3.5 crore trees.
