The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved three major multi-tracking railway projects on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with an estimated investment of Rs 10,783 crore. These crucial infrastructure initiatives are aimed for completion by 2029-30 and will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 656 kilometers across 14 districts in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that these upgrades will provide improved rail access to roughly 4,790 villages and benefit approximately 56 million people. The approved developments include the construction of a fourth line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda (Bagdehi), a fourth line between Katni and Pendra Road, and a third line between Bilaspur (Uslapur) and Pendra Road.
By eliminating critical bottlenecks and improving overall operational efficiency, these new railway lines are expected to increase freight capacity by an additional
27 to 47 million tonnes annually. This massive boost in logistical efficiency will significantly streamline the smooth transport of essential commodities like coal, cement, and steel across the country. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary further noted that the systematic development of high-density corridors such as the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Guwahati routes will remarkably strengthen rail connectivity for Bihar passengers and freight alike.
Beyond enhancing the economic logistics of the nation, these projects are closely aligned with the
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The enhanced rail network is expected to give a substantial direct boost to regional tourism by offering seamless connectivity to renowned landmarks including the Jagannath Temple, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, and Amarkantak Temple. From an environmental standpoint, the government projects that these infrastructure enhancements will successfully reduce oil imports by
120 million liters and slash
CO2 emissions by 620 million kilograms, strongly supporting India's long-term national climate goals.
