The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) approved four projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of ₹9,450 crore.

Expected to be completed by 2030-31, the projects are spread across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and will increase track capacity by about 410 km.

The projects include 173-km fourth line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital) in West Bengal and Odisha; the 75-km fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha; the 90-km third and fourth lines between Gummidipundi and Gudur in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; and the 72-km third and fourth lines between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha.

The increased line capacity is expected to enhance mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability while easing congestion on the routes.

The projects have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.

The projects are expected to provide improved connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services and connect approximately 6,448 villages with a combined population of about 60 lakhs, a Railway Ministry spokesperson stated.

The enhanced capacity will improve connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali Temple, Maa Dhamarai Temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari–Udaypur and Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri (a Buddhist site).

The routes are also essential for the transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the spokesperson said.

Published - August 19, 2026 06:18 pm IST