The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four railway multitracking projects with a combined estimated cost of around ₹9,450 crore.
The projects will add about 410 km to the existing railway network across eight districts in Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with completion targeted by 2030-31.
The approved works include the 173-km fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital), the 75-km Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth line, the 90-km third and fourth lines between Gummidipundi and Gudur, and the 72-km third and fourth lines between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha).
The capacity expansion is expected to ease congestion on busy routes, improve train operations and strengthen the reliability of passenger and freight services. Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated infrastructure planning.
Once completed, the additional lines are expected to improve connectivity for around 6,448 villages with a combined population of nearly 60 lakh, while facilitating smoother movement of people, goods and services.
Odisha is set to receive a major share of the capacity expansion through projects covering the Bhadrak-Haridaspur and Cuttack-Paradeep corridors, as well as the Kharagpur-Bhadrak section.
The upgraded network will strengthen access to important tourist and cultural destinations, including Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandipur, Talsari-Udaypur, Panchalingeswar, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri.
The projects are also expected to support industrial and commercial activity by improving rail movement of coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles and food grains.
The Railways estimates that the additional capacity could enable around 76 million tonnes of extra freight traffic annually. The shift of more freight to rail is expected to reduce logistics costs and support India’s environmental goals by lowering dependence on oil-based transport.
According to the government, the projects could help save around 130 million litres of oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 650 million kg, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting about 2.6 crore trees.
Together, the projects are expected to strengthen the eastern and southern rail corridors while supporting long-term industrial growth, tourism and regional connectivity.
