The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned two multi-tracking projects by the Ministry of Railways, totaling Rs 4,474 crore. These projects, the Sainthia–Pakur 4th line and Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th line, will span 5 districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand, expanding the Indian Railways network by 192 km.
Expected to be finished by 2030-31, the multi-tracking initiative aims to boost connectivity to approximately 5,652 villages, benefitting around 147 lakh people. Additionally, the capacity enhancement will improve rail links to various popular tourist spots like Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple, and Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary.
The increased line capacity is set to enhance mobility, leading to better operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These projects are designed to streamline operations and ease congestion, aligning with PM Modi’s vision of empowering the region through comprehensive development and increased employment opportunities.
The sanctioned projects are vital for transporting commodities such as coal, cement, foodgrains, and more, contributing to achieving climate objectives and reducing the country’s logistics expenses. Aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, these initiatives focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
