Government approves INR 6,456 crore railway expansion plan; 300 km of new tracks and 14 stations

On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved three significant railway projects with a total estimated cost of ₹6,456 crore. These projects will span four states: Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, marking a substantial expansion of the Indian Railways network.

The approved initiatives include two new railway lines and a multi-tracking project, collectively adding approximately 300 km to the rail network and impacting seven districts across the four states. The details of the projects are as follows:
Jamshedpur-Purulia-Asansol (Chandil-Anara-Damodar) 3rd Line

States: Jharkhand (East Singhbhum), West Bengal (Purulia & Bardhaman)Route Length: 121 km
Cost: ₹2,170 crore
Sardega-Bhalmuda New Double Line

States: Odisha (Sundargarh), Chhattisgarh (Raigarh)
Route Length: 31 km
Cost: ₹1,360 crore
Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road New Line

States: Odisha (Bargarh, Nuapada)
Route Length: 138 km
Cost: ₹2,926 crore

These projects are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to enhance multi-modal connectivity through integrated planning. The new lines and multi-tracking initiative are expected to significantly boost connectivity and operational efficiency for Indian Railways. The multi-tracking proposal, in particular, will alleviate congestion on some of the busiest rail sections, providing much-needed infrastructural development.

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The projects will also involve the construction of 14 new stations, improving access to two aspirational districts: Nuapada and East Singhbhum. The new railway lines are anticipated to connect around 1,300 villages, serving a population of approximately 11 lakh (1.1 million) people. Additionally, these projects are expected to bolster freight traffic, providing crucial routes for the transportation of essential commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the railway system is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, which aligns with climate goals by minimizing logistics costs and reducing CO2 emissions. The capacity enhancement from these projects is projected to add 45 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to the freight traffic, further supporting the economic growth and development of the regions involved.