The Union Cabinet has given the green light to three major railway projects worth ₹9,072 crore. This decision was made in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, 2026. These projects will expand the rail network by about 307 km across Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. The government aims to complete these works by the year 2030-31. This expansion is expected to directly help nearly 98 lakh people living in these regions by providing better connectivity and reducing train delays.
🚨: Cabinet Approves 3 Key Railway Projects Worth Rs 9072 Crore for Bihar, Jharkhand and MP।
Which new rail lines have been approved?
The approved plan focuses on three specific routes that are currently facing heavy traffic. These multi-tracking projects will help separate passenger and freight traffic.
- Gondia-Jabalpur Doubling: This project covers 231 km in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It includes a major bridge over the Narmada River. A special budget of ₹450 crore is set aside for fencing and underpasses to protect wildlife in the forest areas.
- Punarakh-Kiul Expansion: A third and fourth line will be constructed on this route in Bihar. This section is currently very busy, often forcing express trains to wait on outer lines. The new tracks will solve this congestion.
- Gamharia-Chandil Route: Located in Jharkhand, this project involves building third and fourth lines. It will include new bridges and road underpasses to ensure smooth movement for local traffic as well.
How will this help the common man?
These new lines are designed to connect approximately 5,407 villages with better rail services. By adding more tracks, the railways can run freight trains separately, which means passenger trains will not have to wait for goods trains to pass. This will improve punctuality and make travel reliable.
The construction work is also expected to generate jobs for the local population. For instance, the Gamharia-Chandil project alone is projected to create 18 lakh human-days of employment. Tourists will also find it easier to reach popular spots like Kanha National Park and Pench National Park. Additionally, shifting more transport to railways will save about 6 crore litres of fuel, helping the environment.