The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved eight railway multitracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore across nine states. The increased
line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These projects will cover around 1,196 km and are expected to improve rail connectivity, ease congestion on existing routes and facilitate faster movement of passengers and freight, and are targeted for completion by 2029-30, according to the statement released by the government. It said the projects will “enhance connectivity, improve mobility and facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers”. These projects include: Arakkonam – Renigunta 3rd and 4th Line – 77 kms Whitefield – Bangarapet 3rd and 4th Line – 47 kms Hosur – Omalur Doubling – 147 kms Salem – Karur – Dindigul Doubling – 159 kms Multitracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) – Kazipet – 110 kms The five projects covering 17 Districts across the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 540 Kms. The approved multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approx. 2,121 villages, which are having a population of about 52 lakhs. Further, the other three projects include: Kharagpur – Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line Katni – Pendra Road 4th Line Bilaspur (Uslapur) – Pendra Road 3rd Line These three projects covering 14 Districts across the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 656 Kms. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approx. 4,790 villages, which are having a population of about 56 lakhs. These projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, container, automobile, food grains, petroleum products, fertilizers, etc. The proposed capacity enhancement will also improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country.
