New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved four key multi-tracking projects worth approximately Rs 18,658 crore to further boost India’s railway infrastructure.
The railway projects, aimed at enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency, span a total of 1,247 kilometres across 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
The approved railway lines include the Sambalpur–Jarapda third and fourth lines, Jharsuguda–Sason third and fourth lines, Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalkasa fifth and sixth lines, and the Gondia–Balharshah doubling project.
These capacity augmentation efforts are expected to significantly ease congestion on some of the busiest railway corridors in the country while also improving punctuality and freight movement.
Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity, the projects reflect the government’s push for integrated infrastructure development.
As part of this initiative, 19 new railway stations will be constructed that will benefit around 3,350 villages and an estimated population of 47.25 lakh.
The expansion will also improve access to two Aspirational Districts, which are Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, offering new economic and employment opportunities.
Among the highlights is the Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalkasa corridor, which is expected to directly link under-served regions like Baloda Bazar. The route’s improved connectivity could pave the way for industrial growth, particularly in sectors like cement manufacturing.
Beyond enhancing mobility, the new rail lines will support bulk transport of essential commodities including coal, steel, cement, fertilizers, limestone, and agricultural produce.
It should be noted that the railway ministry estimates the additional freight capacity at nearly 88.77 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
Environmentally, the shift from road to rail is projected to cut COâ‚‚ emissions by 477 crore kilograms and save approximately 95 crore litres of fuel.
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