Cabinet Approves ₹24,634-Crore Multitracking Projects To Expand Rail Capacity Across Four States
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of Railways | Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved four multitracking projects covering 18 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, adding about 894 km to the Indian Railways network. The projects—Wardha-Bhusawal (314 km), Gondia-Dongargarh (84 km), Vadodara-Ratlam (259 km), and Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina (237 km)—will be implemented at a total estimated cost of ₹24,634 crore and are expected to be completed by 2030-31.
The new lines will connect nearly 3,633 villages (population ~86 lakh), including two Aspirational Districts (Vidisha and Rajnandgaon), while improving freight and passenger mobility on high-density corridors. Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the multitracking projects will enhance multimodal logistics, reduce congestion, and support efficient movement of key commodities such as coal, steel, cement, and food grains. With projected additional freight traffic of 78 MTPA, the expansion is expected to save 28 crore litres of fuel and cut 139 crore kg of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to planting six crore trees. The network passes near major tourist and ecological sites such as Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka, and Nawegaon National Park, promising socio-economic uplift and sustainable regional growth.
The investment strengthens India’s logistics backbone, aligns with PM Gati Shakti’s multimodal strategy, and advances India’s low-carbon transport and freight-efficiency goals under the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
What is Multitracking?
Multitracking adds additional railway lines along existing routes to increase capacity, reduce delays, and boost operational efficiency, enabling simultaneous two-way or high-frequency train movement.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India ensure that rail-capacity expansion under PM Gati Shakti translates into lower logistics costs and greater modal shift from road to rail in high-density freight corridors?
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