India has approved a record 6,000 Km railway expansion in FY 2025-26, backed by an investment of ₹1.53 lakh crore, marking one of the largest network pushes in recent years, according to the Ministry of Railways.
The Ministry of Railways, in a statement on Sunday, 12 April, said that a total of 100 railway projects have been sanctioned during the financial year, covering new lines, doubling, multitracking, bypass lines, flyovers and chord lines.
“With a strong focus on inclusive growth and national integration, 100 railway projects involving new lines, doubling, multitracking and other works have been sanctioned in FY 2025-26…a total investment of ₹1.53 lakh crore has been committed across these projects, covering more than 6,000 kilometres of railway network,” the ministry said.
The latest approvals represent a sharp increase compared to FY 2024-25, when 64 projects worth ₹72,869 crore covering over 2,800 Km were sanctioned.
Project approvals have increased by 56 per cent, while route coverage has surged by over 114 per cent and overall financial commitment has jumped by more than 110 per cent.
“Compared to FY 2024-25, where 64 projects worth ₹72,869 crore covering over 2,800 kilometres were sanctioned, project approvals have increased by 56 percent, route coverage has surged by over 114 percent, and financial commitment has witnessed a remarkable jump of more than 110 percent,” the ministry said.
The projects are aimed at decongesting saturated routes, improving punctuality, enhancing passenger experience, and expanding connectivity to underserved and remote regions.
The expansion is also expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve operational efficiency across the railway network.
The ministry stated that the projects span across nearly all major states, with Maharashtra accounting for 17 projects, Bihar 11, Jharkhand 10 and Madhya Pradesh 9, reflecting a strategic focus on regions critical for freight movement, industrial connectivity and passenger demand.
A key emphasis has been placed on improving connectivity in tribal and remote areas.
Projects such as the Rowghat-Jagdalpur line in Chhattisgarh, along with multiple corridors in Jharkhand and Odisha, are expected to enhance access to markets, healthcare, education and employment opportunities, bringing underserved populations into the mainstream of national development.
From an investment perspective, over 35 projects exceed ₹1,000 crore.
Major high-value projects include the Kasara-Manmad 3rd and 4th line spanning 131 Km at around ₹10,150 crore, the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa 5th and 6th line of 278 Km at over ₹8,740 crore, the Itarsi-Nagpur 4th line of 297 Km at over ₹5,450 crore, and the Secunderabad-Wadi 3rd and 4th line of 173 Km at more than ₹5,000 crore.
The expansion plan is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and is expected to support the Mission 3000 MT target by enhancing cargo capacity, improving port connectivity, and enabling faster movement of coal and minerals to strengthen energy security.
The ministry added that the large-scale investment is expected to generate substantial employment, stimulate demand in core sectors such as steel and cement, and reduce logistics costs, thereby contributing to overall economic growth.
