The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four railway projects with a combined cost of Rs 94.5 billion (bn) that will add about 410 km to the Indian Railways network and are scheduled for completion by 2030-31. The projects cover West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and were cleared in a single meeting chaired by the prime minister. The government indicated implementation timelines of up to four years for the longer stretches. The largest allocation is for the 173 km fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak, with an outlay of Rs 33.52 bn and a four-year completion period. That project is expected to add 13 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum of freight capacity and generate 5.9 mn human-days of employment. The 75 km fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur has an outlay of Rs 15.83 bn and is projected to add 29 mn t per annum, generate 2.6 mn human-days and reduce carbon emissions by 193.9 million (mn) kilograms (kg) annually. The 90 km Gummidipundi–Gudur project carries an outlay of Rs 22.29 bn and is expected to add 21.24 million (mn) t per annum while generating 6.1 mn human-days. The 72 km Cuttack–Paradeep third and fourth line has an outlay of Rs 22.86 bn, a four-year timeline, will add 12 mn t per annum, save Rs 1.73 bn in annual logistics costs and generate 4.9 mn human-days. The Railway Ministry said the capacity expansion will improve routes carrying coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and food grains and enhance operational efficiency and reliability. The projects cover eight districts, improve connectivity to about 6,448 villages and reach roughly six million people. The ministry added that the expansion would reduce oil imports by 130 million (mn) litres, cut CO2 emissions by 650 million (mn) kilograms (kg) and be equivalent to planting 26 million (mn) trees. The Cabinet also approved an 83 km highway corridor in Bihar with an outlay of Rs 35.91 bn under the Hybrid Annuity Mode and a 30-month construction period.