The Union Cabinet approved three multitracking railway projects worth Rs 234.37 billion (Rs 234.37 bn) to improve connectivity and ease congestion. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister authorised schemes that will expand the Indian Railways network by nearly 901 km across 19 districts. Officials said the projects form part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated planning.

The approved projects include the Nagda-Mathura third and fourth line, Guntakal-Wadi third and fourth line and Burhwal-Sitapur third and fourth line, serving routes in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The schemes are intended to relieve bottlenecks on busy sections and improve operational efficiency on key corridors.

The expansion is expected to improve connectivity for around 4,161 villages with a combined population of about 8.3 million (8.3 mn) people and to reduce delays by increasing line capacity and reliability. Officials indicated the projects will enhance access to tourist and religious destinations and support regional mobility and last mile connectivity.

The new lines are projected to support transportation of commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, fertilisers, iron ore, containers and petroleum products and could yield additional freight traffic of about 60 million tonnes per annum (60 mn t). Government estimates suggested the capacity enhancement may help lower logistics costs and reduce road congestion.

Officials also said the projects may help cut oil imports by roughly 370 million litres and reduce carbon emissions by about 1.85 billion kg (1.85 bn kg). Implementation and coordination across agencies are expected to be managed under the national master plan to ensure timely civil works and technical clearances while improving punctuality and asset utilisation.