New Delhi, July 15: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two railway multitracking projects in Odisha and Jharkhand at an estimated cost of ₹3,907 crore, adding around 145 km to the Indian Railways network.
The projects, approved by the committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are scheduled for completion by 2030-31.
The approved works include the doubling of the Paradeep-Haridaspur railway line and construction of a fourth line on the Rajkharsawan-Dangoaposi section.
The Ministry of Railways expects the additional line capacity to improve train movement, operational efficiency and service reliability on the two routes. The projects are also intended to reduce congestion and support smoother passenger and freight operations.
Both projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on integrated infrastructure development, multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Read also : Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project completes launch of all 13 heavy portal beams in Ahmedabad
The two railway projects will cover four districts across Odisha and Jharkhand. According to the government, the capacity expansion will improve connectivity for around 1,526 villages with a combined population of nearly 14 lakh.
The proposed works will also improve rail access to destinations including the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple and Meghahatuburu Hills.
The routes are used for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum. The government estimates that the capacity expansion will support additional freight traffic of around 44 million tonnes per annum.
According to the Cabinet release, the projects could reduce oil imports by around six crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 29 crore kg.
The government said the projected reduction in emissions would be equivalent to planting around one crore trees.
Read also : Indian Railways approves ₹206 crore Kavach rollout across 680 route km on Northern Railway
