Cabinet approves ₹9,450 crore railway expansion across four states by 2031

The Union government has cleared railway infrastructure upgrades worth ₹9,450 crore that will add 410 kilometres of track capacity across eight districts, with completion targeted by 2030-31.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned four multitracking projects on Wednesday spanning West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Track expansion details

The approvals comprise a 173-kilometre fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital) straddling West Bengal and Odisha; a 75-kilometre fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha; 90 kilometres of third and fourth lines between Gummidipundi and Gudur covering Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; and 72 kilometres of third and fourth lines between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha.

The line capacity expansion aims to improve mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability while reducing congestion on these corridors. The projects have been designed under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, emphasising multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency through integrated planning and consultations with stakeholders.

Connectivity boost for 60 lakh residents

The railway upgrades will provide better connectivity for approximately 6,448 villages with a combined population of about 60 lakh people, according to a Railway Ministry spokesperson.

The enhanced network will improve access to tourist sites including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali Temple, Maa Dhamarai Temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari–Udaypur and Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri, a Buddhist site.

Freight traffic surge expected

The routes handle critical commodities including coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains. The capacity augmentation is projected to generate an additional 76 million tonnes per annum in freight traffic, the spokesperson stated.

Source: The Hindu