The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved two multitracking railway projects in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with a combined outlay of Rs 248.15 billion (bn). The projects will extend the Indian Railways network by about 601 km and cover 15 districts across the two states. The approvals form part of capacity enhancement measures intended to strengthen freight and passenger connectivity along key corridors.

The Ghaziabad–Sitapur section will be upgraded with third and fourth lines over 403 km at a cost of Rs 149.26 bn. This route forms an integral segment of the Delhi–Guwahati high density network and links major industrial centres including Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and Roza. The alignment is planned to bypass congested stations and six new stations are proposed on the bypass sections to secure seamless transit for goods and commuters.

The Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) upgrade comprises third and fourth lines spanning 198 km and carries an outlay of Rs 98.89 bn. It is part of the quadrupling initiative on the Howrah–Chennai high density route and traverses East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Vishakapatnam districts. The coastal alignment is among the busiest freight corridors on the East Coast Rail Corridor and the capacity boost is expected to ease movement of bulk cargo.

The projects will improve access to tourist sites such as Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam and are expected to support regional economic activity by facilitating movement of coal, foodgrains, cement, POL, iron and steel, containers, fertilisers, sugar, chemical salts and limestone. Enhanced throughput on these sections is likely to reduce congestion on parallel routes and improve supply chain reliability for industries in the hinterland. The ministry indicated that the interventions aim to bolster both freight efficiency and passenger convenience across the corridors.