Centre Approves Rs 111 Billion for Key Rail Expansion Projects

04 Aug 2025 CW Team

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four major railway multitracking projects worth approximately Rs 111 billion. These projects will expand the Indian Railways network by 574 kilometres across six states and are targeted for completion by 2028–29.

The projects span 13 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Key routes include the fourth line between Itarsi and Nagpur, doubling of the Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)–Parbhani section, and the third and fourth lines between Aluabari Road–New Jalpaiguri and Dangoaposi–Jaroli.

These upgrades align with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aimed at strengthening multi-modal connectivity through integrated planning. The enhanced line capacity will reduce congestion, boost operational efficiency, and improve service reliability for freight and passenger movement.

Around 2,309 villages with a combined population of 43.6 million will benefit from these developments. The projects are expected to generate 229 million person-days of direct employment during construction.

The new tracks will support vital freight flows including coal, cement, clinker, gypsum, fly ash, containers, agricultural goods, and petroleum products, with a projected freight handling increase of 95.91 million tonnes per annum.

Environmentally, the expansion is set to cut annual oil imports by 160 million litres and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5.15 billion kilograms — equivalent to planting roughly 2 billion trees.

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