Cabinet Approves Rs 6,405 Crore for New Multi-Tracking Railway Projects

The Cabinet has approved two new multi-tracking railway projects across seven districts, with a total investment of approximately Rs 6,405 crore.

Transport Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that these projects aim to enhance travel convenience, reduce logistical costs, lower petrol dependency, and support more sustainable railway operations by decreasing CO2 emissions.

In a weekly briefing, Vaishnaw explained that the initiatives will upgrade around 318 kilometres of rail network within Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

The key projects are:

1. Koderma – Barkakana Doubling (133 km) – This section traverses a major coal-producing region in Jharkhand and provides the quickest and most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi.

2. Ballari – Chikjajur Doubling (185 km) – This line passes through the districts of Ballari and Chitradurga in Karnataka, as well as Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh.

These multi-tracking projects will improve connectivity to approximately 1,408 villages, serving a population of around 2.82 million, according to Vaishnaw.

The initiatives are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated, multi-modal connectivity, facilitating smoother movement of people, goods, and services through coordinated planning.