The Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its crucial nod to four expansive railway multitracking projects, involving an estimated investment of ₹9,450 crore. This significant infrastructure initiative, announced on August 19, 2026, aims to augment the existing railway network by approximately 410 kilometers across eight districts in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
The projects, scheduled for completion by the fiscal year 2030-31, are designed to alleviate congestion, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall reliability of Indian Railways services. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that these developments are a strategic step towards fulfilling the 'PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan' which focuses on integrated planning for multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency.
Specifically, the approved projects include a 173-km fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital), a 75-km fourth line connecting Bhadrak and Haridaspur, a 90-km third and fourth line stretch between Gummidipundi and Gudur, and a 72-km third and fourth line between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha). These new lines are anticipated to provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services, benefiting around 6,448 villages and approximately 60 lakh people. Additionally, the capacity augmentation is projected to facilitate an extra 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in freight traffic, contributing to reduced logistics costs, lower oil imports, and a significant decrease in CO2 emissions.
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