Indian Railways has approved a fresh set of infrastructure projects valued at ₹2,193 crore, targeting key operational and connectivity challenges across northern, eastern and southern India.
The projects focus on enhancing safety in difficult terrain, increasing line capacity on a busy freight and passenger corridor, and improving suburban rail services in the Chennai region.
A sum of ₹238 crore has been sanctioned for safety-related works on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section under Northern Railway.
The package includes slope stabilisation measures, tunnel rehabilitation, treatment of seepage issues, bridge protection works, and additional interventions at vulnerable locations along the route.
The section has historically faced engineering and operational difficulties due to challenging terrain, adverse geological conditions, and extreme weather events. The approved works follow a comprehensive assessment of cuttings, tunnels and bridges on a route that serves millions of pilgrims annually.
As per news reports, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project “reflect the Government's commitment to ensuring safe and reliable connectivity in the most challenging terrains of the country.”
He added, “Following a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges and tunnels, protection and rehabilitation works have been sanctioned... these works will strengthen the long-term safety and reliability of this strategically important section.”
The Ministry has also cleared the ₹962 crore Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project, which will add a 54-km third line on the heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi route.
The existing double-line section is operating beyond optimal capacity, while traffic demand is expected to continue increasing.
Part of Indian Railways High Traffic Density Network, the corridor provides important connectivity between Kolkata and Haldia ports and Raxaul on the Nepal border.
It also handles significant freight traffic from Barh STPP, Jawahar STPP and Birganj ICD, besides strengthening rail connectivity between Patna and Kolkata.
Speaking on the project, Vaishnaw said it “will significantly enhance capacity on the heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi corridor and help improve punctuality and operational flexibility of train services,” while facilitating “seamless movement of passenger and freight trains while supporting industrial growth and trade connectivity.”
In southern India, Indian Railways has approved the ₹993 crore Arakkonam-Chengalpattu Doubling Project.
The project will add a second line across a 68-km stretch of Southern Railway that forms an important component of Chennai’s suburban circular rail network connecting Chennai Beach, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and Arakkonam.
The existing single-line section is operating at high utilisation levels. Once completed, the doubling project is expected to reduce detention time, improve punctuality and allow higher suburban train frequencies.
The route serves major industrial and economic centres including Mahindra World City, Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and Irungattukottai. It also supports automobile, cement and manufacturing industries, while the proposed Parandur Airport near Kancheepuram is located close to the alignment.
Vaishnaw said the project “will play a significant role in easing congestion on the busy Chennai suburban rail network while improving punctuality and operational efficiency.”
He further noted that it would “strengthen both passenger and freight movement across the corridor, benefiting transportation of key commodities including cement, automobiles, food grains, iron and steel.”
Read More: Uttar Pradesh Government Approves Metro, Healthcare and Power Projects
The 3 approved projects underline Indian Railways’ focus on network reliability, capacity enhancement and operational efficiency. Together, the ₹2,193 crore investment is expected to improve safety, support freight and passenger movement, and strengthen connectivity across key rail corridors in the country.
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Published on: May 20, 2026, 10:21 AM IST
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