The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two railway multi-tracking projects at a cost of Rs 39.07 billion (bn) aimed at increasing line capacity, easing congestion and improving freight movement. The Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed reporters and said the measures would deliver improved operational efficiency and greater service reliability for Indian Railways. The approval forms part of broader infrastructure investment priorities to strengthen transport corridors. The sanctioned works comprise the doubling of the Paradeep to Haridaspur line and the provision of a fourth line on the Rajkharsawan to Dangoaposi corridor, covering four districts in the States of Odisha and Jharkhand. Together the initiatives will add about 145 km to the existing network and are designed to streamline train movements and reduce bottlenecks on key freight routes. Implementation will be coordinated with railway divisions and state authorities through stakeholder consultations. Capacity enhancement is expected to improve rail access for about 1,526 villages with a combined population of about 1.4 million (mn) and to strengthen connections to tourist sites such as the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple and the Meghahatuburu Hills. The projects are planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to promote multi-modal connectivity and integrated logistics planning. Officials indicated the investments were intended to support regional development and to expand employment and self-employment opportunities. The routes serve mineral and industrial supply chains for commodities including coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum, and the capacity augmentation is expected to yield additional freight traffic of 44 million tonnes per annum, expressed as 44 mn t per annum. Railways being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport will contribute to national climate objectives and help to minimise logistics cost. Authorities said the projects will support economic competitiveness and sustainability goals.