Cabinet Approves ₹6,405 Crore Rail Projects Across 3 States

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two significant multitracking projects to enhance Indian Railways’ capacity and efficiency. With a combined estimated cost of ₹6,405 crore, these projects aim to strengthen connectivity across seven districts in Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, adding approximately 318 km to the existing rail network.

Project Highlights

• Koderma – Barkakana Doubling (133 km): Located in a key coal-producing region of Jharkhand, this route offers the most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi. Its expansion will ease congestion, especially for freight traffic, and ensure smoother transportation of coal and other goods.
• Ballari – Chikjajur Doubling (185 km): Spanning Ballari and Chitradurga districts in Karnataka and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, this project will support industrial and passenger transport in South India.

Economic and Environmental Impact

• The combined projects are expected to generate around 108 lakh human-days of direct employment during the construction phase.
• Upon completion, the enhanced network will support the transport of vital commodities like coal, steel, cement, fertilisers, petroleum, and agricultural produce, contributing an additional freight capacity of 49 MTPA.
• The upgrades will connect around 1,408 villages and benefit an estimated 28.19 lakh people, fostering regional development and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.
• Environmental benefits include a reduction of 264 crore kg of CO₂ emissions, 52 crore litres less in oil imports, and ecological gains equivalent to planting 11 crore trees.

A Step Towards Seamless Connectivity

These projects fall under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, promoting integrated, multimodal transport infrastructure. By decongesting critical routes and improving logistical efficiency, they align with India’s climate goals while reducing transport costs.

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Conclusion

With a focus on sustainability, employment, and regional growth, the multitracking projects in Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh mark a transformative step for Indian Railways. These initiatives are set to modernise infrastructure, enhance freight movement, and support India’s economic and environmental ambitions.

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