Cabinet Approves Rs 23,437 Crore Rail Multitracking Projects to Expand Capacity Across Six States

New Delhi, May 6 (KNN) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three multitracking projects of Indian Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs 23,437 crore, aimed at enhancing capacity and easing congestion on key rail corridors.

The approved projects include the Nagda–Mathura, Guntakal–Wadi, and Burhwal–Sitapur sections, where third and fourth lines will be constructed. These projects will collectively add about 901 km to the existing railway network and are targeted for completion by 2030–31.

Spanning 19 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the projects are expected to improve connectivity for approximately 4,161 villages, benefiting an estimated population of 83 lakh.

The capacity expansion is intended to streamline operations, improve service reliability, and support higher freight movement. Key commodities transported along these routes include coal, foodgrains, cement, fertilisers, petroleum products, and steel.

The projects are projected to facilitate additional freight traffic of around 60 million tonnes per annum.

Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to strengthen multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated infrastructure planning.

Improved rail links are also expected to enhance access to several tourism destinations, including Mathura, Vrindavan, Ranthambore National Park, and Naimisharanya.

According to official estimates, the shift towards rail transport enabled by these projects could help reduce logistics costs, lower fuel consumption, and cut carbon emissions, contributing to broader environmental and efficiency objectives.

The projects form part of ongoing efforts to augment rail infrastructure, improve network capacity, and support economic activity through more efficient movement of goods and passengers.

(KNN Bureau)