The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major railway doubling projects with a total investment of Rs 64.05 billion. The projects, under the Ministry of Railways, aim to boost capacity and efficiency across critical freight corridors.

The first project involves doubling the 133 km Koderma–Barkakana rail section in Jharkhand, a key coal-producing region. This route also serves as the shortest and most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi. The second project is the doubling of the 185 km Ballari–Chikjajur line, spanning the Ballari and Chitradurga districts in Karnataka and the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.

Together, these projects will add 318 km to the railway network, benefiting seven districts and improving connectivity to around 1,408 villages, home to approximately 2.82 million people. Both projects are part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated, multi-modal connectivity and are designed to support the movement of coal, iron ore, steel, cement, fertilisers, petroleum, and agricultural products.

The railway ministry expects the enhanced capacity to handle an additional 49 million tonnes of freight annually. These developments are expected to cut logistics costs, reduce oil imports by 520 million litres, and lower carbon emissions by 2.64 billion kilograms — the equivalent of planting 110 million trees.

Officials noted the projects would also drive local development, employment, and self-employment, contributing to a more self-reliant ("Atmanirbhar") regional economy.