₹9,072 Crore Rail multitracking projects in Maharashtra, MP, Bihar and Jharkhand get Cabinet nod, to add 307 Km to Railways network.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA has approved three railway multitracking projects with a combined investment of ₹9,072 crore.
The projects are aimed at expanding capacity and easing congestion across key freight and passenger corridors in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
The projects include doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur line, addition of third and fourth lines between Punarakh and Kiul, and capacity expansion through third and fourth lines between Gamharia and Chandil.
Together, the works will increase the Indian Railways network by approximately 307 Km and are targeted for completion by 2030-31.
The capacity expansion is expected to improve connectivity for around 5,407 villages in eight districts with a combined population of about 98 lakh, while enhancing operational efficiency, reducing congestion, and improving reliability of train services on busy routes.
According to a CCEA release, the projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations, enabling seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
These corridors are key routes for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, fertilizers, limestone, and foodgrains.
The capacity augmentation is expected to support additional freight traffic of 52 million tonnes per annum, helping reduce logistics costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
The expansion is also projected to reduce oil consumption by approximately 6 crore litres and lower carbon emissions by about 30 crore kilograms, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around one crore trees.
In addition to freight and passenger benefits, the projects will improve rail access to several tourist destinations, including Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Dhuandhar Waterfall, Chandil Dam, and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, supporting regional economic and tourism development.
