New Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): Today, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted approval for four railway projects proposed by the Ministry of Railways, with an estimated budget of approximately Rs 9,450 crore.
As per an official announcement, the approved projects include: the 4th Line from Kharagpur to Bhadrak (Ranital) spanning 173 km (West Bengal and Odisha), the 4th Line from Bhadrak to Haridaspur covering 75 km (Odisha), the 3rd and 4th Line from Gummidipundi to Gudur measuring 90 km (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), and the 3rd and 4th Line from Cuttack to Paradeep (Badabandha) totaling 72 km (Odisha).
The expansion of rail lines is expected to substantially improve mobility, operational efficiency, and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking initiatives are set to optimize operations and reduce congestion. The projects align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India, supporting comprehensive regional development and boosting employment and self-employment prospects, as indicated in the announcement.
The initiatives are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which emphasizes enhanced multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through coordinated planning and stakeholder engagement. These projects aim to facilitate smooth transportation of people, goods, and services.
On Wednesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the Cabinet had approved the Kharagpur-Bhadrak railway initiative, which focuses on expanding Odisha’s coastal rail infrastructure.
Vaishnaw elaborated, “The Cabinet has approved the Kharagpur to Bhadrak project, which runs through Baleshwar to Rupsa and continues down to Bhadrak. This line will run along the entire Odisha coast. We are creating four lines between Kharagpur and Bhadrak, including the construction of two major bridges, 41 significant bridges, and 169 minor bridges. The total length of this project is 173 kilometers, with an estimated cost of Rs 3352 crores.”
The four projects will span eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, expanding the Indian Railways network by approximately 410 km. These multi-tracking efforts will significantly enhance access to around 6,448 villages, home to about 6 million residents.
Moreover, the improved rail connectivity will facilitate access to several key tourist attractions across the nation, such as Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, and various temples and beaches.
Essential for transporting vital commodities like coal, iron ore, and food grains, the capacity upgrades are projected to generate an additional freight traffic of 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
As an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, the Railways are expected to aid in meeting climate objectives, reducing logistics costs, cutting down oil imports by approximately 13 crore liters, and lowering CO2 emissions by around 65 crore kg, which is comparable to planting 2.6 crore trees.
