The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of approximately ₹9,450 crore. The projects, scheduled for completion by 2030–31, will add about 410 km to the existing Indian Railways network across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The approved projects include the 173-km Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital) four-line section covering West Bengal and Odisha; the 75-km Bhadrak–Haridaspur four-line section in Odisha; the 90-km Gummidipundi–Gudur three- and four-line section across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; and the 72-km Cuttack–Paradeep (Badabandha) three- and four-line section in Odisha.
According to the Press Information Bureau, the additional rail capacity is expected to improve operational efficiency, service reliability and mobility while easing congestion on key routes. The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with an emphasis on integrated planning, multimodal connectivity and improved logistics efficiency.
The four projects will cover eight districts and enhance rail connectivity to around 6,448 villages with a combined population of approximately 60 lakh. Improved connectivity is also expected to strengthen access to several important tourism destinations, including Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandipur Beach, Talsari–Udaypur, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lalitgiri and several prominent temples across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The upgraded routes are also important for the movement of major commodities, including coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and food grains. The capacity augmentation is projected to facilitate additional freight traffic of about 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The government said the projects will also contribute to environmental and energy-efficiency goals by shifting greater volumes of freight and passenger movement to rail. The enhanced rail capacity is expected to reduce oil consumption by around 13 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 65 crore kg, equivalent to the carbon-sequestration impact of planting around 2.60 crore trees.
The projects are expected to strengthen regional connectivity, support economic activity and improve the movement of people, goods and services while contributing to the development of a more efficient and sustainable railway network.
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