New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved four major multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways, covering 18 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. The projects, estimated to cost Rs 24,634 crore, aim to boost the Indian Railways network by nearly 894 kilometres and are targeted for completion by 2030-31.
According to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the approved projects include the Wardha–Bhusawal third and fourth lines (314 km) in Maharashtra, the Gondia–Dongargarh fourth line (84 km) spanning Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, the Vadodara–Ratlam third and fourth lines (259 km) in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and the Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina fourth line (237 km) in Madhya Pradesh.
The CCEA stated that the projects would enhance connectivity for around 3,633 villages with a combined population of over 85.84 lakh, including two aspirational districts, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. The expansion will also improve access to key tourist destinations such as Sanchi, the Satpura Tiger Reserve, the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park.
The Ministry noted that these routes play a vital role in transporting essential commodities like coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grains and steel. By augmenting line capacity, the projects are expected to improve mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability across the network.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the multi-tracking projects aim to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder collaboration, ensuring the smoother movement of people, goods, and services nationwide.
