New Delhi, August 19: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet’s Economic Affairs Committee approved four railway projects on Wednesday, with a total investment of approximately ₹9,450 crores. The Prime Minister shared this information via the social media platform ‘X’, stating that these projects will significantly enhance railway infrastructure and connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
PM Modi emphasized that the Cabinet’s approval of these multi-tracking projects will increase the capacity of the Indian railway network, benefiting millions of people.
The projects are expected to strengthen passenger and freight transport, reduce congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and enhance connectivity for trade and tourism.
The approved projects include:
– Khurda-Bhadark (Ranitala) fourth line – 173 km (West Bengal and Odisha)
– Bhadark-Haridaspur fourth line – 75 km (Odisha)
– Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth line – 90 km (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu)
– Cuttack-Paradip (Badabandha) third and fourth line – 72 km (Odisha)
The increased line capacity will lead to significant improvements in travel, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of Indian Railways. These multi-tracking initiatives are expected to streamline operations and reduce congestion. They align with PM Modi’s vision for a new India, aiming to empower local communities through comprehensive regional development, thereby creating more employment and self-employment opportunities.
These projects are part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultation. They will ensure seamless movement of people, goods, and services.
Covering eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, these four projects will expand the existing Indian railway network by approximately 410 kilometers. The proposed multi-tracking projects will improve connectivity for around 6,448 villages, benefiting a population of nearly 6 million.
The proposed capacity enhancements will also improve rail connectivity to several major tourist destinations, including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali Temple, Maa Dharmarai Temple, Panchalingeshwar Temple, Talsari-Udaipur and Chandipur beaches, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarla Temple, and Lalitgiri (Buddhist site).
The proposed projects are essential for transporting goods such as coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles, and grains. The capacity enhancement works will yield an additional freight capacity of 76 million tons per year. As an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, Indian Railways will contribute to achieving climate goals and reducing the country’s logistics costs. Additionally, it will decrease oil imports by approximately 13 crore liters and cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 65 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting 2.6 crore trees.
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