Cabinet approves three multitracking projects covering 14 Districts across the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 656 Kms

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three multi-tracking railway projects spanning 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Covering a total estimated cost of Rs. 10,783 crore, the projects aim to increase the Indian Railways network by approximately 656 kilometers with targeted completion by 2029-30. The projects include the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line, Katni–Pendra Road 4th Line, and Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd Line. Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the initiatives intend to reduce logistical costs, enhance freight traffic capacity by 27 Million Tonnes Per Annum, improve connectivity to numerous tourist and religious locations, and aid climate objectives through reduced emissions and oil imports.