The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three multitracking projects by the Ministry of Railways that will extend the network by about 389 km across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The projects, covering 12 districts and scheduled for completion by 2030-31, comprise the Kasara–Manmad third and fourth line, the Delhi–Ambala third and fourth line, and the Ballari–Hosapete third and fourth line. The combined investment is estimated at Rs 185.09 billion (bn).

The schemes are expected to generate direct employment of about 26.5 million (mn) human-days during construction and to improve operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. They are being planned under the PM?Gati Shakti National Master Plan with emphasis on multi?modal connectivity and integrated logistics planning. Authorities stated the works will streamline operations, reduce congestion and lower logistics costs for freight movement.

The multitracking is projected to enhance connectivity to approximately 3,902 villages with a population of about 9.7 million (mn) and to improve access to several tourist sites including Hampi, Ballari Fort and the Tungabhadra Dam. The routes are important for the movement of coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone, bauxite, containers, foodgrains, sugar, fertilisers and petroleum, oil and lubricants. Capacity augmentation is expected to enable additional freight traffic of 96 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum.

Officials said the projects will support sustainability objectives by lowering oil imports by about 220 million litres and by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1.11 billion (bn) kilograms (kg), which is equivalent to planting about 40 million trees. The enhancements are intended to improve travel convenience for passengers while contributing to national objectives of self?reliance and efficient logistics. Work is expected to proceed with stakeholder consultations and integrated planning to ensure multimodal benefits.