New Delhi, 31 July 2025 (Economy India News Desk) – In a major boost to India’s rail infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved four multitracking railway projects aimed at enhancing the Indian Railways network by 574 kilometres across six states – Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
These projects, with a total estimated cost of Rs11,169 crore, are expected to be completed by 2028–29 and generate approximately 229 lakh person-days of direct employment during construction.
🚆 Approved Multitracking Projects
- Itarsi – Nagpur Fourth Line
- Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) – Parbhani Doubling
- Aluabari Road – New Jalpaiguri Third & Fourth Line
- Dangoaposi – Jaroli Third & Fourth Line
These multitracking corridors will streamline train operations, reduce congestion, and enhance mobility, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of Indian Railways services.
🌐 Key Highlights
- Coverage: 13 districts across 6 states
- Total Track Expansion: 574 km
- Villages Impacted: ~2,309 villages
- Population Benefited: ~43.6 lakh people
- Expected Cargo Handling: 95.91 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum)
- Commodities Supported: Coal, cement, clinker, gypsum, fly ash, containers, agricultural goods, petroleum products
🛤️ Strategic Relevance: PM Gati Shakti Master Plan
These projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on integrated planning and multimodal connectivity to improve logistics efficiency. They support seamless movement of people, goods, and services and enable economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
The initiatives are also in sync with the government’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, offering opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
🌿 Environmental & Economic Impact
- Reduction in oil import: ~160 million litres
- CO₂ Emissions Reduction: ~5.15 billion kg (equivalent to planting 200 million trees)
- Support to climate goals: Enhanced use of railways as a green and energy-efficient mode
The multitracking projects approved by the cabinet mark a significant push toward infrastructure modernization, rural connectivity, and sustainable logistics. These projects will not only decongest the high-density routes but also accelerate regional development and support India’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
(Economy India)
