Cabinet Clears 4 Major Railway Projects Spanning 18 Districts Across Four States
Rs 24,634 crore investment to boost connectivity, freight capacity, and tourism under PM-Gati Shakti plan
New Delhi, Oct 7: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four major multi-tracking railway projects spanning 18 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, with a combined investment of approximately Rs 24,634 crore.
These projects will expand the Indian Railways network by nearly 894 km, enhancing connectivity for passengers, freight, and services, according to an official statement.
The approved projects include:
3rd and 4th line between Wardha and Bhusawal (314 km) in Maharashtra
4th line between Gondia and Dongargarh (84 km) across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
3rd and 4th line between Vadodara and Ratlam (259 km) in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
4th line covering Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina (84 km) in Madhya Pradesh
The projects are expected to benefit approximately 3,633 villages with a combined population of 85.84 lakh, including two Aspirational Districts Vidisha and Rajnandgaon.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the multi-tracking projects will significantly improve operational efficiency, service reliability, and mobility for both passengers and freight. The enhanced capacity will streamline railway operations and reduce congestion.
Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to enhance multi modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
Vaishnaw highlighted the tourism potential, noting that the upgraded rail lines will connect destinations such as Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka rock shelters, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park, attracting domestic and international tourists.
For freight traffic, the projects will facilitate transport of commodities including coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grains, and steel, with an expected additional capacity of 78 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The environmentally friendly rail network will also help achieve climate goals by reducing oil imports by 28 crore litres and lowering CO₂ emissions by 139 crore kg equivalent to planting six crore trees.
These multi-tracking initiatives are a key step toward Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a New India, supporting regional development, employment, and self-reliance.
