New Delhi, August 19 (TNA) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved four railway multitracking projects with a total estimated cost of Rs. 9,450 crore. The projects cover eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and will increase the existing Indian Railways network by about 410 km. They are scheduled to be completed by 2030-31.
The approved projects include the 173-km Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) fourth line, the 75-km Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth line, the 90-km Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth lines, and the 72-km Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) third and fourth lines.
The increased line capacity is expected to enhance mobility, improve operational efficiency and service reliability, streamline railway operations and alleviate congestion. Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects will focus on improving multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. They will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services.
The projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages with a population of about 60 lakh people. The proposed capacity enhancement will also improve rail connectivity to several tourist destinations, 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.
The approved projects include the 173-km Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) fourth line, the 75-km Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth line, the 90-km Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth lines, and the 72-km Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) third and fourth lines.