New Delhi, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved three multi-tracking railway projects worth Rs 10,783 crore aimed at improving mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability across key regions of the country.
The projects, which are targeted for completion by 2029-30, will cover 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Together, they will add around 656 km to the existing Indian Railways network, according to an official statement.
The approved projects are the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line, Katni–Pendra Road 4th Line and Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd Line.
These routes are important for the transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel. The capacity augmentation is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of around 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
According to the government, the projects will also strengthen the environmental and economic advantages of rail transportation. The improved rail capacity is expected to help reduce oil imports by around 12 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 62 crore kg, equivalent to the plantation of around 2.48 crore trees.
The enhanced connectivity will also benefit several prominent tourist and religious destinations, including Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple.
The increased line capacity is expected to ease congestion, streamline railway operations and improve service reliability while facilitating greater mobility for passengers and freight.
The government said the projects are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ and are expected to contribute to comprehensive regional development. Improved connectivity and infrastructure, it added, would also create greater employment and self-employment opportunities for people in the covered areas.
FOLLOW NOW
