Cabinet Approves Three Multitracking Projects Expanding Rail Network

18 Feb 2026 CW Team

The schemes are expected to generate direct employment of about 26.5 million (mn) human-days during construction and to improve operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. They are being planned under the PM?Gati Shakti National Master Plan with emphasis on multi?modal connectivity and integrated logistics planning. Authorities stated the works will streamline operations, reduce congestion and lower logistics costs for freight movement.

The multitracking is projected to enhance connectivity to approximately 3,902 villages with a population of about 9.7 million (mn) and to improve access to several tourist sites including Hampi, Ballari Fort and the Tungabhadra Dam. The routes are important for the movement of coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone, bauxite, containers, foodgrains, sugar, fertilisers and petroleum, oil and lubricants. Capacity augmentation is expected to enable additional freight traffic of 96 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum.

Officials said the projects will support sustainability objectives by lowering oil imports by about 220 million litres and by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1.11 billion (bn) kilograms (kg), which is equivalent to planting about 40 million trees. The enhancements are intended to improve travel convenience for passengers while contributing to national objectives of self?reliance and efficient logistics. Work is expected to proceed with stakeholder consultations and integrated planning to ensure multimodal benefits.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three multitracking projects by the Ministry of Railways that will extend the network by about 389 km across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The projects, covering 12 districts and scheduled for completion by 2030-31, comprise the Kasara–Manmad third and fourth line, the Delhi–Ambala third and fourth line, and the Ballari–Hosapete third and fourth line. The combined investment is estimated at Rs 185.09 billion (bn). The schemes are expected to generate direct employment of about 26.5 million (mn) human-days during construction and to improve operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. They are being planned under the PM?Gati Shakti National Master Plan with emphasis on multi?modal connectivity and integrated logistics planning. Authorities stated the works will streamline operations, reduce congestion and lower logistics costs for freight movement. The multitracking is projected to enhance connectivity to approximately 3,902 villages with a population of about 9.7 million (mn) and to improve access to several tourist sites including Hampi, Ballari Fort and the Tungabhadra Dam. The routes are important for the movement of coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone, bauxite, containers, foodgrains, sugar, fertilisers and petroleum, oil and lubricants. Capacity augmentation is expected to enable additional freight traffic of 96 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum. Officials said the projects will support sustainability objectives by lowering oil imports by about 220 million litres and by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1.11 billion (bn) kilograms (kg), which is equivalent to planting about 40 million trees. The enhancements are intended to improve travel convenience for passengers while contributing to national objectives of self?reliance and efficient logistics. Work is expected to proceed with stakeholder consultations and integrated planning to ensure multimodal benefits.

Building Material

08 Apr 2026

Jindal Aluminium Marks 56 Years of Industrial Leadership

Jindal Aluminium Limited has marked its 56th Inception Day, celebrating a legacy built on vision, resilience and manufacturing leadership. Founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1970 by Padma Bhushan Dr Sitaram Jindal, the company has grown into a major force in India’s downstream aluminium sector under the leadership of Pragun Jindal Khaitan.The company is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium extruded products and the second-largest producer of aluminium flat-rolled products. With a turnover of around Rs 5,500 crore and a workforce of over 4,000, Jindal Aluminium continues to strengthen..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Tunnelling Begins for Thane, Borivali twin tunnel project

Tunnelling work has commenced for the 11.84-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel, set to be India’s longest urban road tunnel, marking a key milestone in Mumbai’s infrastructure development.As per a post shared by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority on social media platform X, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Nayak’—the country’s largest single-shield hard rock TBM for an urban tunnel—was launched by Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. The event was attended by Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, among other dignitaries. A second TBM, ‘Arjuna’, is expected to be launched so..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..