The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit four significant railway multi-tracking projects on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. These infrastructure upgrades, valued at ₹9,450 crore, are set to expand the Indian Railways network by 410 km across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The projects are strategically designed to be completed by the 2030-31 fiscal year.
Key highlights of these developments include:
- Expansion of 410 km of the railway network across four states.
- Total project investment of ₹9,450 crore.
- Targeted completion timeline by 2030-31.
- Expected annual freight increase of 76 million tonnes.
- Direct connectivity benefits for 6,448 villages and 60 lakh people.
- Significant environmental impact, including a reduction of 65 crore kg of CO2 emissions annually.
Strategic Infrastructure Expansion
The approved projects focus on critical high-traffic corridors to alleviate congestion and boost operational efficiency. The specific lines slated for development include the 173 km Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th line, the 75 km Bhadrak–Haridaspur 4th line, the 90 km Gummidipundi–Gudur 3rd and 4th lines, and the 72 km Cuttack–Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th lines. By implementing these under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the Ministry of Railways aims to streamline both passenger and freight movement significantly.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Beyond the immediate logistical improvements, these projects are expected to be a major engine for economic growth. The construction phase is set to provide massive employment opportunities, with the Kharagpur–Bhadrak line alone projected to generate 5.9 million human-days of work.
From an environmental perspective, the shift toward a more robust rail network will play a crucial role in sustainability. The ministry projects that these upgrades will help reduce oil imports by 13 crore litres and significantly lower carbon emissions. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that this infrastructure boost is essential for modernizing the national rail grid, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that these efforts will collectively bolster commerce, tourism, and logistics efficiency across the nation.