The Union Cabinet approved two multi-tracking railway projects at a combined cost of Rs 39,070 mn, including the Rs 25,420 mn doubling of the Paradip?Haridaspur line and a Rs 13,650 mn fourth line between Rajkharsawan and Dangoaposi. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister cleared the proposals to strengthen freight movement and logistics in the mineral?rich eastern region. Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the works aim to enhance multimodal connectivity and ease congestion on busy freight corridors. Officials said the measures will improve operational efficiency across Odisha and Jharkhand.

The Paradip?Haridaspur doubling is expected to improve rail access to Paradip port and speed evacuation of coal, iron ore and other bulk commodities from Odisha's mining belt. The project should reduce logistics costs for industry by Rs 4,130 mn annually and enable additional freight movement of 28 mn t per annum. It is projected to lower carbon dioxide emissions by about 185 mn kg, a reduction the ministry described as equivalent to planting 730 mn trees. The upgrade will also support export?oriented cargo movement.

The Rajkharsawan?Dangoaposi fourth line will link Jharkhand industrial centres with Keonjhar district, increasing capacity and reducing congestion on a key mineral corridor, officials at the East Coast Railway (ECoR) said. They indicated improved punctuality for passenger services such as the Puri?Barbil Express and the Howrah?Barbil Jan Shatabdi Express. Together the two schemes will add about 145 km to the Indian Railways network and generate construction and related employment. The projects form part of a wider effort to modernise rail infrastructure.

The measures are intended to benefit around 1,526 villages with a combined population of about one point four mn and to improve access to tourist sites including Lalitgiri and Meghahatuburu Hills. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the capacity augmentation aligns with a vision of regional economic development through improved connectivity while supporting environmental objectives. Approvals will proceed to implementation stages subject to statutory clearances and land acquisition as required.