Cabinet approves railway multitracking projects in four States at ₹9,450 crore
Expected to be completed by 2030-31, the projects are spread across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and will increase track capacity by about 410 km
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, endorsed four railway multitracking projects across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh on August 19, 2026. With an estimated total cost of ₹9,450 crore, these projects aim to boost track capacity by around 410 km by 2030-31. They encompass 173 km of a fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital) in West Bengal and Odisha, a 75 km fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha, a 90 km third and fourth line between Gummidipundi and Gudur in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and a 72 km third and fourth line between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha.
This capacity increase is projected to improve mobility, efficiency, and service reliability while alleviating congestion. The initiatives align with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, emphasizing multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency. They will connect nearly 6,448 villages with a population of around 60 lakhs to tourist destinations like Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, and various temples, as well as key transportation routes for commodities like coal, iron ore, and foodgrains, potentially generating an additional 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.
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