The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved three multi-tracking projects for the Railway Ministry valued at Rs 185.09 billion (bn). The approval covers construction of third and fourth lines and is intended to increase line capacity and operational efficiency for Indian Railways. Officials said the measures form part of broader efforts to modernise rail infrastructure and to support the national agenda for economic growth and connectivity.

The projects will add about 389 kilometres to the existing network and span 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The sections identified include Kasara–Manmad, Delhi–Ambala and Ballari–Hosapete and the works are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

Officials said the schemes will improve multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations and will streamline operations to alleviate congestion. The projects are expected to enhance connectivity to 3,902 villages with a combined population of nine point seven million (mn). Implementation will follow integrated planning and phased execution to limit disruption to existing services.

Capacity enhancement will improve access to several tourist destinations and heritage sites such as Hampi, Ballari Fort, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Tungabhadra Dam and the Vijaya Vittala Temple. The upgrades are also intended to support movement of people and to facilitate regional economic development and employment. The works are expected to support tourism by easing access to key sites and thereby bolstering local economies.

On the commercial front, the projects lie on essential freight routes for commodities including coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone and containers and are projected to generate additional freight traffic of 96 million tonnes per annum (mn t per annum). The Railways expects environmental benefits that include a reduction in oil imports by 220 million litres and a cut in carbon dioxide emissions of 1.11 billion kilograms (bn kg), equivalent to the planting of 40 million trees.