Union Cabinet approves the Kharagpur Jharsuguda fourth line railway project

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially approved the Kharagpur Jharsuguda 4th Line project on Wednesday September 9 2026. This major initiative forms part of a broader infrastructure expansion encompassing three multi tracking railway projects with a total estimated investment of ₹10,783 crore all targeted for completion by the 2029 30 fiscal year. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the development during a briefing in New Delhi highlighting that the projects are designed to enhance multi modal connectivity under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

The Kharagpur Jharsuguda project specifically targeting the 367 km Kharagpur to Bagdehi section carries an estimated cost of ₹6,528 crore. This corridor is a critical component of the Howrah Mumbai High Density Network which is currently operating at an alarming 118% capacity with projections indicating a rise to 133% without immediate infrastructure intervention. The expanded capacity is expected to generate an additional 27 Million Tonnes Per Annum MTPA of freight traffic facilitating the seamless transport of bulk commodities such as coal cement iron and steel.

Environmental and Social Impact

Beyond heavy logistics the projects are projected to reduce annual oil imports by approximately 12 crore litres and cut CO2 emissions by roughly 62 crore kg annually an environmental benefit equivalent to planting 2.48 crore trees. The construction phase is anticipated to generate 125 lakh human days of employment. The network expansion will significantly improve connectivity for 4,790 villages benefiting approximately 56 lakh people across West Bengal Jharkhand Odisha Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Furthermore the project will enhance accessibility to major cultural and religious sites including the Taratarini Temple and Shri Kshetra Jagannath Temple near Jharsuguda.