₹24,815 Crore Rail Expansion Approved - 6 New Stations Planned Across 601 km

India’s railway expansion has received a major push as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two multitracking projects worth ₹24,815 crore , aimed at boosting capacity, easing congestion, and strengthening connectivity across key corridors. Scheduled for completion by 2030–31 , the projects will expand the network of Indian Railways by 601 km across 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh .

The Ghaziabad–Sitapur corridor (403 km) , part of the Delhi–Guwahati High Density Network (HDN-4) , is among the busiest routes with utilisation already at 168% , projected to rise to 207% . The addition of third and fourth lines will significantly decongest the route, which passes through Ghaziabad, Hapur, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Sitapur. These districts host major industries including electronics, machinery, brassware, textiles, carpets, and cement. The project also includes six new bypass stations to reduce pressure on congested junctions. Estimated at ₹14,926 crore , it is expected to generate 274 lakh human-days of employment , enable 35.72 MTPA additional freight , reduce logistics costs by ₹2,877.46 crore annually , and cut 128.77 crore kg of CO₂ emissions , equivalent to planting 5.15 crore trees .

The Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) corridor (198 km) forms part of the Howrah–Chennai High Density Network and is a vital stretch of the East Coast Rail Corridor. Covering East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle, and Visakhapatnam districts, it connects major ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, and Machilipatnam. With utilisation already at 130% , the project will enhance throughput through additional lines, a 4.3 km Godavari rail bridge , 2.67 km viaduct , and three bypasses , along with an alignment 8 km shorter than the existing route. No new stations are planned here, as the focus remains on freight efficiency. The project, costing ₹9,889 crore , will generate 135 lakh human-days of employment , add 29.04 MTPA freight capacity , save ₹1,150.56 crore annually , and reduce 51.49 crore kg of CO₂ emissions , equivalent to 2.06 crore trees .

A key outcome is the transformation of cargo movement . Additional lines will allow freight trains to run without delays from passenger traffic, reducing congestion and improving turnaround time. Enhanced port connectivity will streamline export-import logistics, particularly for coal, cement, fertilizers, steel, and containers. Together, the projects will add nearly 65 MTPA freight capacity , lower logistics costs, and strengthen supply chains while cutting total emissions by 180.31 crore kg , equivalent to 7.33 crore trees .

Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan , the projects will also improve access to tourist and religious destinations such as Naimisharanya, Annavaram, and Draksharamam. They are complemented by the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme , with ₹12,000 crore-plus annual allocations for station modernisation, while safety systems like Kavach are being deployed separately. Together, these initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy combining capacity expansion, passenger amenities, and safety to drive economic growth.