The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved four major railway multitracking projects proposed by the Railways Ministry, with a total estimated cost of ₹24,634 crore.
These projects, spanning 18 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, will add approximately 894 kilometres to India’s railway network, significantly enhancing connectivity, operational efficiency, and economic development in the region.
The approved projects include the Wardha-Bhusawal third and fourth lines, covering 314 km in Maharashtra; the Gondia-Dongargarh fourth line, spanning 84 km across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh; the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth lines, covering 259 km in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh; and the Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina fourth line, stretching 237 km in Madhya Pradesh. These initiatives are designed to decongest critical railway corridors and improve the efficiency of both passenger and freight services.
According to the Railways Ministry, the projects will enhance connectivity for approximately 3,633 villages, benefiting a combined population of nearly 85.84 lakh. This includes two aspirational districts—Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh—underscoring the projects’ focus on uplifting underdeveloped regions. The expanded rail infrastructure is expected to reduce congestion, streamline operations, and improve the reliability of train services for both passengers and freight transport.
These multitracking projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which emphasises integrated and multimodal connectivity to enhance logistics efficiency and promote coordinated planning among stakeholders. By improving rail infrastructure, the projects aim to create a seamless transportation network that supports India’s economic growth.
In addition to improving connectivity, the upgraded routes will enhance access to several prominent tourist and cultural destinations, including Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park. This improved access is expected to boost tourism potential in the region, attracting visitors to these culturally and ecologically significant sites.
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The projects also hold strategic importance as freight corridors, facilitating the transport of essential commodities such as coal, cement, containers, food grains, steel, fly ash, and other goods. The increased rail capacity is projected to handle an additional 78 million tonnes of freight annually (MTPA), supporting industrial and agricultural supply chains across the four states.
The Railways Ministry highlighted the environmental benefits of these projects, noting that railways, as an energy-efficient and sustainable mode of transport, will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. The multitracking initiatives are expected to cut CO2 emissions by 139 crore kilograms, equivalent to the environmental impact of planting six crore trees, and reduce oil imports by approximately 28 crore litres.
The Railways Ministry emphasised that these capacity enhancement projects will not only strengthen India’s rail infrastructure but also contribute significantly to the nation’s climate goals, economic growth, and logistics competitiveness. The initiatives mark a significant step toward realising the vision of a modern, efficient, and self-reliant India, in line with the objectives of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
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