The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved four major multi-tracking railway projects on August 19, 2026, with a total investment of ₹9,450 crore. These crucial infrastructure initiatives are designed to significantly expand the capacity of Indian Railways and are scheduled for completion by the 2030-31 financial year. The projects span across eight districts in four states including West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, involving the laying of approximately 410 kilometers of new rail lines to improve both passenger travel and freight movement.
Details of the New Rail Lines
The approved developments feature specific key route expansions across the country. These include the 173-kilometer Kharagpur-Bhadrak fourth line, the 75-kilometer Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth line, the 90-kilometer Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth line, and the 72-kilometer Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) third and fourth line. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the quadrupling of the Kharagpur-Bhadrak section along the Howrah-Chennai main line will boost train capacity, streamline maintenance, and vastly improve cargo transit.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
These infrastructure upgrades are projected to serve 6,448 villages and benefit a population of over 60 lakh people. Additionally, the expansion will support an additional 76 million tonnes of freight annually while easing logistical bottlenecks. Integrated under the Prime Minister Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects will enhance regional connectivity, commerce, and tourism. On the environmental front, improved rail efficiency is expected to reduce oil imports by 13 crore liters and cut CO2 emissions by approximately 65 crore kilograms, matching the positive ecological impact of planting 2.6 crore trees.