The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four multi-tracking projects for Indian Railways with a total estimated cost of ₹9,450 crore to be completed by 2030-31. These projects will increase the existing railway network by approximately 410 kilometers across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
The four approved projects include: Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th Line (173 km in West Bengal and Odisha), Bhadrak–Haridaspur 4th Line (75 km in Odisha), Gummidipundi–Gudur 3rd and 4th Line (90 km in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), and Cuttack–Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th Line (72 km in Odisha).
The projects are designed to significantly enhance line capacity, improve operational efficiency, and service reliability while alleviating congestion. They will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services, enhancing connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages with a combined population of about 60 lakh people. The projects will also improve rail connectivity to several tourist destinations including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, and various temples and beaches.
These routes are essential for transportation of commodities including coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, and food grains. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of 76 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The projects will contribute to climate goals by reducing oil imports by approximately 13 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 65 crore kg annually, which is equivalent to the plantation of 2.60 crore trees. The projects align with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan focusing on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning.