The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved two multi-tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways at an estimated cost of Rs 27.81 billion. The projects include the 141-km doubling of the Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus section and the construction of the 3rd and 4th lines on the 32-km Badlapur–Karjat section.

The capacity expansion will significantly enhance mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability across the network. The initiatives are aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of building a more connected, self-reliant and economically vibrant New India by increasing employment and self-employment opportunities in the region.

Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder coordination. Together, they span four districts across Maharashtra and Gujarat and will expand the rail network by about 224 km.

The multitracking works will enhance connectivity for nearly 585 villages with a combined population of around 3.2 million. The Kanalus–Okha doubling project will strengthen access to the Dwarkadhish Temple and promote regional development across Saurashtra. The Badlapur–Karjat stretch, part of the Mumbai suburban corridor, will improve suburban mobility, address rising commuter demand and facilitate smoother connectivity to southern India.

Both routes are critical freight corridors for commodities such as coal, salt, containers, cement and petroleum products. The capacity augmentation is expected to support an additional 18 MTPA of freight traffic. As an energy-efficient mode of transport, the improved railway capacity will also contribute to India’s climate goals by reducing logistics costs, lowering oil imports by an estimated 30 million litres and cutting CO? emissions by 160 million kg—equivalent to planting 64 lakh trees.