Union Cabinet Approves ₹10,021 Crore Railway Multitracking Projects Across Four Southern States

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved five major railway multitracking projects worth ₹10,021 crore on September 9, 2026. Designed to expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 540 kilometers across 17 districts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the initiatives aim to alleviate severe congestion on high-density passenger and freight corridors. Key project approvals include the 47-kilometer third and fourth lines between Whitefield and Bangarapet in Karnataka, the 147-kilometer doubling of the Hosur–Omalur section, the 77-kilometer third and fourth lines between Arakkonam and Renigunta, the 159-kilometer doubling between Salem, Karur, and Dindigul, and 110 kilometers of multitracking between Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) and Kazipet. Targeted for completion by 2029–30 under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, these projects will enhance rail connectivity to over 2,120 villages with a combined population of 52 lakh. By augmenting line capacity, Indian Railways expects to boost operational efficiency and accommodate an estimated 47 million tonnes per annum in additional freight traffic. This will facilitate smoother transport of critical commodities like coal, cement, petroleum, and foodgrains while offering seamless passenger connectivity to key cultural and tourist destinations across southern India.