Cabinet approves 4 railway projects worth Rs 24,634 crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday approved four major multi-tracking railway projects spanning 18 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, at an estimated cost of Rs 24,634 crore.

According to an official statement, the projects will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 894 km, facilitating smoother movement of passengers and freight, while improving operational efficiency and service reliability.

The approved projects include:

• A 3rd and 4th line between Wardha and Bhusawal, covering 314 km in Maharashtra.

• A 4th line spanning 84 km between Gondia and Dongargarh, covering parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

• A 3rd and 4th line between Vadodara and Ratlam, covering 259 km in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

• A 4th line spanning 84 km between Itarsi, Bhopal, and Bina in Madhya Pradesh.

The statement highlighted that the projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 3,633 villages, serving a population of around 85.84 lakh, including two Aspirational Districts, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the capacity augmentation will significantly improve mobility, reduce congestion, and streamline operations. “These multi-tracking projects are aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ and aim to promote regional development, employment, and self-employment opportunities,” he said.

The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on integrated multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through coordinated planning and stakeholder consultation. Multi-tracking is expected to reduce travel times, increase capacity, and alleviate operational bottlenecks, benefitting both passenger and freight traffic.

Vaishnaw also highlighted the projects’ potential for boosting tourism by improving connectivity to destinations such as Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka rock shelters, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park, attracting visitors from across the country.

In terms of freight, the projects cover essential routes for the transport of commodities including coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grains, and steel, with capacity augmentation expected to enable an additional 78 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of cargo movement.

Environmental benefits are also anticipated, as railways are an energy-efficient mode of transport. The projects are expected to reduce oil imports by 28 crore litres and lower CO₂ emissions by 139 crore kg, equivalent to the plantation of six crore trees, contributing to India’s climate goals.

While an official completion timeline has not been released, similar large-scale multi-tracking projects in India generally take 4-6 years, with phased operationalisation of high-traffic sections possible sooner. Funding for these projects is expected to come primarily from government budget allocations and Indian Railways’ internal resources, potentially supplemented by loans or bonds as required.

The Cabinet approval marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s rail infrastructure, improving regional connectivity, and supporting economic growth across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.