Cabinet approves 4 multitracking railway projects worth ₹18,658 crore across three states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four major railway infrastructure projects worth ₹18,658 crore, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday. The projects, covering 15 districts across Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, will increase the Indian Railways network by 1,247 kilometres.

The sanctioned multi-tracking projects include Sambalpur–Jarapda (3rd and 4th line), Jharsuguda–Sason (3rd and 4th line), Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalakasa (5th and 6th line) and Gondia–Balharshah doubling.

A total of 19 new stations will be constructed under these projects, which is expected to improve connectivity to around 3,350 villages and benefit 47.25 lakh people.

The Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalakasa section will offer direct connectivity to new areas like Baloda Bazar, which, the government expects, will create possibilities for setting up of new industrial units including cement plants in the region.

These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, limestone etc., according to an official readout.

The capacity augmentation works are expected to result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 88.77 million tonnes per annum.

"The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services," a government release said.