What is the story about?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved three railway multi-tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with an estimated cost of about ₹23,437 crore.
The projects will expand the Indian Railways network by around 901 km across 19 districts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The projects are expected to be completed by 2030-31.
The approved projects include the construction of third and fourth railway lines on the Nagda-Mathura, Guntakal-Wadi and Burhwal-Sitapur sections.
While briefing reporters in Delhi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said these sections are part of high-density railway routes and the new lines will improve operational efficiency between major cities and towns.
“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion,” a government press note said.
Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the Cabinet decision in a post on X and wrote, “Boosting India's infrastructure, furthering economic growth! The Cabinet's approval for railways projects covering 19 Districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will enhance connectivity and improve operational efficiency. It will improve access to key tourism sites across the nation as well.”
The government said the projects are aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “New India” and are expected to support development and employment opportunities in the regions covered.
PM-Gati Shakti plan to improve connectivity in 4,161 villages
According to the government, the projects have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on improving multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and consultations.
“The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services,” the statement said.
The projects are expected to improve connectivity for around 4,161 villages with a combined population of about 83 lakh people.
The additional railway capacity is also expected to improve access to several tourist and religious destinations, including Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ranthambore National Park, Kuno National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Mathura, Vrindavan, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Shyamnath Temple and Naimisharanya.
Freight capacity to rise, Centre highlights climate benefits
The government said the approved routes are important for transporting commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, petroleum products (POL), iron and steel, iron ore, containers and fertilisers.
“The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 60 MTPA (million tonnes per annum),” the government statement said.
Vaishnaw also highlighted the environmental impact of the projects. According to the government, increased rail capacity could help reduce logistics costs, lower oil imports by around 37 crore litres and cut carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 185 crore kg. The government said this reduction is equivalent to planting seven crore trees.
Yogi Adityanath says projects will help Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the railway projects and said they would improve connectivity, logistics and freight movement in the state.
In a post on X, Adityanath said the approved projects, including the Burhwal-Sitapur and Nagda-Mathura third and fourth lines, would benefit villages and improve railway services.
“These projects will enhance connectivity across the region, benefit thousands of villages and significantly improve mobility, logistics efficiency and service reliability in the state,” he said.
“With increased capacity enabling higher freight movement, it will boost economic activity, reduce logistics costs and support sustainable development in Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
Adityanath also welcomed other Cabinet decisions announced on Tuesday. These included the approval of the Cotton Productivity Mission for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore, the fixation of the sugarcane FRP at ₹365 per quintal for the 2026-27 season, and the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0 to improve credit access for businesses.
The projects will expand the Indian Railways network by around 901 km across 19 districts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The projects are expected to be completed by 2030-31.
The approved projects include the construction of third and fourth railway lines on the Nagda-Mathura, Guntakal-Wadi and Burhwal-Sitapur sections.
While briefing reporters in Delhi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said these sections are part of high-density railway routes and the new lines will improve operational efficiency between major cities and towns.
“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion,” a government press note said.
Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the Cabinet decision in a post on X and wrote, “Boosting India's infrastructure, furthering economic growth! The Cabinet's approval for railways projects covering 19 Districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will enhance connectivity and improve operational efficiency. It will improve access to key tourism sites across the nation as well.”
Boosting
India’s infrastructure, furthering economic growth!
The Cabinet’s approval for railways projects covering 19 Districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will enhance connectivity and improve operational efficiency.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 6, 2026
The government said the projects are aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “New India” and are expected to support development and employment opportunities in the regions covered.
PM-Gati Shakti plan to improve connectivity in 4,161 villages
According to the government, the projects have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on improving multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and consultations.
“The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services,” the statement said.
The projects are expected to improve connectivity for around 4,161 villages with a combined population of about 83 lakh people.
The additional railway capacity is also expected to improve access to several tourist and religious destinations, including Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ranthambore National Park, Kuno National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Mathura, Vrindavan, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Shyamnath Temple and Naimisharanya.
Freight capacity to rise, Centre highlights climate benefits
The government said the approved routes are important for transporting commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, petroleum products (POL), iron and steel, iron ore, containers and fertilisers.
“The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 60 MTPA (million tonnes per annum),” the government statement said.
Vaishnaw also highlighted the environmental impact of the projects. According to the government, increased rail capacity could help reduce logistics costs, lower oil imports by around 37 crore litres and cut carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 185 crore kg. The government said this reduction is equivalent to planting seven crore trees.
Yogi Adityanath says projects will help Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the railway projects and said they would improve connectivity, logistics and freight movement in the state.
In a post on X, Adityanath said the approved projects, including the Burhwal-Sitapur and Nagda-Mathura third and fourth lines, would benefit villages and improve railway services.
“These projects will enhance connectivity across the region, benefit thousands of villages and significantly improve mobility, logistics efficiency and service reliability in the state,” he said.
“With increased capacity enabling higher freight movement, it will boost economic activity, reduce logistics costs and support sustainable development in Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
Adityanath also welcomed other Cabinet decisions announced on Tuesday. These included the approval of the Cotton Productivity Mission for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore, the fixation of the sugarcane FRP at ₹365 per quintal for the 2026-27 season, and the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0 to improve credit access for businesses.
