The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three major railway multitracking projects with a total estimated cost of ₹10,783 crore. These projects include the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line, Katni–Pendra Road 4th Line, and Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd Line, which will collectively add approximately 656 kilometers to Indian Railways' existing network.
The projects span 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, and are planned for completion by 2029-30. The infrastructure expansion will enhance connectivity to approximately 4,790 villages with a combined population of about 56 lakh people, while also improving access to several prominent tourist destinations including Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, and Amarkantak Temple.
The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), primarily supporting the transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, and iron and steel. The projects are aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on enhanced multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning.
Environmental benefits include estimated reductions of 12 crore litres in oil imports and 62 crore kg in CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the plantation of 2.48 crore trees. The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, improve operational efficiency, service reliability, and alleviate congestion across the railway network.