The Indian Railways has recently installed safety fencing along approximately 19,700 kilometers of track in states including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, aiming to reduce incidents of trespassing and stone-pelting.
On August 19, the Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, sanctioned four railway projects totaling ₹9,450 crore, providing much-needed support for long-distance rail travelers in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. This initiative coincides with the railway ministry’s intensified focus on enhancing safety measures nationwide.
The approved projects will take place across eight districts in four states, with completion anticipated by the 2030-31 timeframe. The specific projects include:
- Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) fourth line, spanning 173 kilometers in West Bengal and Odisha
- Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth line, covering 75 kilometers in Odisha
- Gummidipundi-Gudur third and fourth line, extending 90 kilometers across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) third and fourth line, totaling 72 kilometers in Odisha
Collectively, these developments will augment the Indian Railways network by 410 kilometers. According to government estimates, once operational, these lines will connect around 6,448 villages, benefiting nearly 6 million residents.
These new lines, part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, are projected to alleviate congestion along some of the busiest freight and passenger routes in eastern and southern India. Notable tourist destinations like Bhitarkanika National Park, Chandipur Beach, and Pulicat Lake will also be accessible via these routes, though the primary focus remains on freight transport.
The railways anticipate that the increased capacity will facilitate the transportation of an additional 76 million tonnes of goods annually, including coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles, and food grains. Rail transport is recognized for its energy efficiency compared to road freight, leading the Centre to estimate that these projects could reduce oil imports by approximately 13 crore liters and cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 65 crore kilograms each year—a reduction likened to planting 2.6 crore trees.
In addition to expanding the network, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently disclosed in the Lok Sabha that safety fencing has been established along 19,700 kilometers of tracks to prevent unauthorized access. Measures are also in place to combat stone-pelting incidents, including legal actions against offenders, training programs for train escort staff, coordination with state police through State Level Security Committees, and community engagement initiatives like Operation SATHI.
