Indian Railways has sanctioned 300 infrastructure projects spanning 13,808 kilometres under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan since financial year 2022-23, the ministry told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. The package of measures reflects a sustained push to expand the country's transport and logistics network. The minister indicated that approvals cover projects across multiple regions and aim to rebalance connectivity to smaller towns and border areas.\n\nThe sanctioned projects comprise 51 new railway lines, 17 gauge conversion works and 232 doubling projects, which are intended to enhance capacity, reduce congestion and improve links to ports and terminals. Authorities expect the interventions to ease freight movements and unlock faster transit times for industrial consignments. Project selection was guided by strategic priorities to connect mines, collieries and economic zones.\n\nThe ministry added that 982 surveys have been sanctioned under the framework, including 295 for new lines, 13 for gauge conversions and 674 for doubling, covering a cumulative length of 67,010 kilometres. The PM Gati Shakti framework, launched in October 2021, has sought to integrate planning across railways, roads, ports, pipelines and telecommunications. Officials said the coordinated approach has enabled faster clearances, improved route alignment and cost reductions through use of advanced planning tools developed by BISAG-N.\n\nSeveral major projects approved under the plan are intended to strengthen freight corridors and improve access to industrial hubs and ports. The railways are using the institutional mechanism of PM Gati Shakti for survey work and to identify alternative alignments that avoid sensitive forest and wildlife areas while maintaining connectivity. The government has increased funding, delegated powers to field officials and stepped up coordination with state authorities to expedite land acquisition and environmental clearances. The initiatives are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs and support employment, regional development and sustainable growth.