On September 9 2026 the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved eight multi-tracking projects with a combined investment exceeding 20000 crore rupees to decongest seven key high-density corridors across the Indian Railways network. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that these initiatives form part of a broader 12-year modernization effort aimed at boosting capacity and operational efficiency. The approved works span across multiple states including West Bengal Jharkhand Odisha Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Karnataka and Telangana. These crucial expansions are targeted for completion by 2029-30 to ensure smoother journeys and better freight movement.
- Total Investment: Exceeding 20000 crore rupees for eight multi-tracking projects.
- Network Coverage: Spanning 1196 kilometers across 31 districts in nine states.
- Target Completion: Scheduled for completion by the year 2029-30.
- Traffic Focus: Decongesting seven high-density corridors handling 41 percent of total rail traffic.
The Cabinet sanctioned
three multi-tracking projects at a cost of 10783 crore rupees covering
656 kilometers across 14 districts in West Bengal Jharkhand Odisha Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. These critical developments feature the construction of the fourth line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda Bagdehi the fourth line between Katni and Pendra Road and the third line between Bilaspur Uslapur and Pendra Road. Specifically the
367-kilometer fourth line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda on the crucial Mumbai-Howrah network received a massive allocation of
6528 crore rupees. These enhancements will significantly ease congestion on some of the busiest freight and passenger routes in the country.
In addition to the eastern sectors
five projects costing 10021 crore rupees were approved for
540 kilometers of network across 17 districts in Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Karnataka and Telangana. Key projects in the southern region include the Arrakkonam–Renigunta third and fourth lines the Whitefield–Bangarapet third and fourth lines the Hosur–Omalur doubling the Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling and the Secunderabad Ghatkesar–Kazipet multi-tracking. These upgrades are designed to improve mobility and accommodate rising regional passenger and commercial demands.
The expansion specifically targets vital high-density corridors such as Delhi-Mumbai Delhi-Kolkata Chennai-Kolkata Mumbai-Chennai and Bilaspur-Katni. Currently these
seven high-density corridors account for 41 percent of total rail traffic while representing merely
16 percent of the national network. By separating freight and passenger traffic these infrastructure upgrades will effectively reduce chronic train delays enhance logistical performance and deliver a much-improved passenger experience for millions of everyday travellers across India.
