New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four multi-tracking railway projects across 18 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, at an estimated cost of around Rs 24,634 crore. These projects will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 894 km, improving connectivity for passengers, goods, and services, according to an official statement.
The approved projects include:
3rd and 4th lines between Wardha and Bhusawal (314 km) in Maharashtra
4th line between Gondia and Dongargarh (84 km) across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
3rd and 4th lines between Vadodara and Ratlam (259 km) in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
4th line covering Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina (84 km) in Madhya Pradesh
“These multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity for around 3,633 villages, home to roughly 85.84 lakh people, including two Aspirational Districts—Vidisha and Rajnandgaon,” the statement said.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that the projects will increase line capacity, streamline operations, reduce congestion, and improve service reliability. He added that they align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “New India,” promoting regional development and boosting employment and self-employment opportunities.
Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects focus on multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultation. They are expected to benefit both passenger and freight transport, supporting the movement of commodities such as coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grains, and steel, with an estimated additional freight capacity of 78 million tonnes per annum.
Highlighting tourism benefits, Vaishnaw said the projects will improve access to key destinations, including Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Hazara Falls, and Navegaon National Park.
He also emphasized the environmental advantages: the railway expansions will help reduce oil imports by 28 crore litres, lower CO₂ emissions by 139 crore kg—equivalent to planting six crore trees—and contribute to India’s climate goals while lowering logistics costs.
