Union Cabinet approves eight major railway multitracking projects worth Rs 20804 crore
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially approved eight major railway multitracking projects on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with an estimated investment of ₹20,804 crore. Announced by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on September 10, 2026, these critical infrastructure initiatives aim to boost multi-modal connectivity, enhance train operations, and cut logistics costs nationwide.
Key highlights of the newly approved railway projects:
- Total estimated investment stands at ₹20,804 crore covering a massive rail network of approximately 1,196 kilometers.
- Projects span across nine states including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
- Works are strategically planned along the crucial Mumbai-Kolkata and Mumbai-Chennai high-density corridors.
- Target completion for all eight multitracking routes is set for the 2029-30 fiscal year.
- Expected to facilitate an additional 74 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight movement and connect around 6,911 villages.
- Green initiatives will reduce oil imports by 80 million liters and slash carbon dioxide emissions by 420 million kg.
Details of the Sanctioned Railway Routes
The newly sanctioned projects under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan cover vital busy sections to ease passenger congestion and freight bottlenecks. The specific railway stretches receiving capacity upgrades include the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th line, Katni–Pendra Road 4th line, Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd line, and Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet multitracking. Furthermore, southern and central networks will see expansions through the Arakkonam–Renigunta 3rd and 4th line, Whitefield–Bangarapet 3rd and 4th line, Hosur–Omalur doubling, and the Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling projects.
Boosting High-Density Corridors and Green Logistics
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that seven major high-density corridors currently handle about 40% of total railway traffic, making these capacity enhancements indispensable for smooth train operations. Out of 11,000 kilometers across these vital corridors—which include Delhi-Howrah, Howrah-Mumbai, Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Guwahati, Delhi-Chennai, Howrah-Chennai, and Mumbai-Chennai—2,000 km are already four-laned and 5,000 km are under active development, with Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) currently being prepared for the remaining 4,000 km.
Beyond improving everyday travel and punctuality, these network expansions promise substantial socio-economic and environmental benefits. By connecting nearly 6,911 villages—comprising 2,121 villages in the South and 4,790 in the East and East-Central regions—along with major tourist destinations, the infrastructure overhaul will stimulate local economies while significantly lowering the country's carbon footprint.