The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two significant railway multi-tracking projects on April 18, 2026. These projects are set to expand the Indian Railways network by 601 km across Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. With a total investment of ₹24,815 crore, the initiative aims to improve track capacity, operational efficiency, and logistics connectivity in high-demand corridors by the year 2030-31.
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What are the key details of the Ghaziabad-Sitapur and Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam projects?
The Ghaziabad-Sitapur project involves the construction of third and fourth lines covering 403 km in Uttar Pradesh. It addresses heavy congestion on the Delhi-Guwahati route where current line usage is significantly high. In Andhra Pradesh, the Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) project will add 198 km of tracks to the Howrah-Chennai corridor. This expansion will provide better connectivity to major ports like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Gangavaram.
| Project Detail | Ghaziabad-Sitapur (UP) | Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam (AP) |
|---|---|---|
| Route Length | 403 km | 198 km |
| Estimated Cost | ₹14,926 Crore | ₹9,889 Crore |
| Districts Covered | 9 Districts | 5 Districts |
| Expected Completion | 2030-31 | 2030-31 |
Major benefits and infrastructure upgrades for the 15 covered districts
These projects will enhance the movement of essential commodities like coal, food grains, and fertilizers. New stations and bridges are planned to bypass crowded city areas and ensure smoother operations. The projects are prepared under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for better multimodal connectivity.
- New Stations: Six new stations including New Hapur, New Moradabad, and New Sitapur will be built to reduce city congestion.
- Major Bridges: A 4.3 km long rail bridge will be constructed over the Godavari river as part of the Andhra Pradesh project.
- Tourism Impact: Connectivity to religious sites like Naimisharanya and Dudheshwarnath Temple will improve for devotees.
- Employment: The expansion will generate approximately 409 lakh man-days of employment during the development phase.
- Environmental Savings: The projects will help reduce carbon emissions by about 180 crore kg, equivalent to planting over 7 crore trees.