The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways that will add about 192 km to the network across five districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand. The projects comprise the Sainthia–Pakur fourth line and the Santragachi–Kharagpur fourth line and are expected to be completed by 2030-31. The estimated cost of the works is Rs 44,740 million (mn). Indian Railways (IR) said the schemes will enhance line capacity and operational reliability.

The projects were planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultation. The approvals were described as intended to support the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a new India and to promote regional self-reliance and employment opportunities. The works are expected to streamline operations, alleviate congestion and improve service regularity for passenger and freight traffic.

The two projects will directly affect about 5,652 villages and a population of approximately 14.7 mn. The capacity augmentation is projected to generate additional freight throughput of 31 mn tonnes (t) per annum. The routes are key for movement of commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, foodgrains, petroleum products and containers and will thereby reduce logistics costs.

Railways officials also indicated environmental and energy benefits, noting an estimated reduction in oil imports of 60 mn litres and a lowering of carbon dioxide emissions by 280 mn kilograms (kg), equivalent to the plantation of about 10 mn trees. The schemes are expected to improve connectivity to tourist and cultural sites and to support local economic development through enhanced freight and passenger links. Implementation will proceed according to the ministry schedule and relevant stakeholder consultations.