+
Centre Approves Rs 64 Billion Rail Expansion Projects
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Centre Approves Rs 64 Billion Rail Expansion Projects

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major railway doubling projects with a total investment of Rs 64.05 billion. The projects, under the Ministry of Railways, aim to boost capacity and efficiency across critical freight corridors.

The first project involves doubling the 133 km Koderma–Barkakana rail section in Jharkhand, a key coal-producing region. This route also serves as the shortest and most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi. The second project is the doubling of the 185 km Ballari–Chikjajur line, spanning the Ballari and Chitradurga districts in Karnataka and the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.

Together, these projects will add 318 km to the railway network, benefiting seven districts and improving connectivity to around 1,408 villages, home to approximately 2.82 million people. Both projects are part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated, multi-modal connectivity and are designed to support the movement of coal, iron ore, steel, cement, fertilisers, petroleum, and agricultural products.

The railway ministry expects the enhanced capacity to handle an additional 49 million tonnes of freight annually. These developments are expected to cut logistics costs, reduce oil imports by 520 million litres, and lower carbon emissions by 2.64 billion kilograms — the equivalent of planting 110 million trees.

Officials noted the projects would also drive local development, employment, and self-employment, contributing to a more self-reliant ("Atmanirbhar") regional economy.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major railway doubling projects with a total investment of Rs 64.05 billion. The projects, under the Ministry of Railways, aim to boost capacity and efficiency across critical freight corridors.The first project involves doubling the 133 km Koderma–Barkakana rail section in Jharkhand, a key coal-producing region. This route also serves as the shortest and most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi. The second project is the doubling of the 185 km Ballari–Chikjajur line, spanning the Ballari and Chitradurga districts in Karnataka and the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.Together, these projects will add 318 km to the railway network, benefiting seven districts and improving connectivity to around 1,408 villages, home to approximately 2.82 million people. Both projects are part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated, multi-modal connectivity and are designed to support the movement of coal, iron ore, steel, cement, fertilisers, petroleum, and agricultural products.The railway ministry expects the enhanced capacity to handle an additional 49 million tonnes of freight annually. These developments are expected to cut logistics costs, reduce oil imports by 520 million litres, and lower carbon emissions by 2.64 billion kilograms — the equivalent of planting 110 million trees.Officials noted the projects would also drive local development, employment, and self-employment, contributing to a more self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) regional economy.

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?