The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to three railway projects spanning four states, with a total investment of Rs. 9,072 crore. These projects encompass the Gondia-Jabalpur doubling, the Punarakh-Kiul 3rd and 4th line, and the Gamharia-Chandil 3rd and 4th line, covering eight districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The expansion is set to add approximately 307 km to the Indian Railways network and is scheduled for completion by 2030-3.
The proposed multi-tracking initiative aims to improve connectivity to about 5,407 villages, benefiting nearly 98 lakh residents. Additionally, it will enhance rail access to various popular tourist spots nationwide, including the Kachnar Shiv Temple in Jabalpur, Kanha National Park in Balaghat, and several other attractions like waterfalls, dams, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries.
These railway projects are expected to boost line capacity significantly, leading to enhanced mobility, operational efficiency, and service reliability for Indian Railways. By reducing congestion and streamlining operations, these initiatives align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering the region’s people through comprehensive development, thereby creating more employment opportunities.
The projects are in line with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. They are designed to offer seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services, supporting the transportation of various commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, and more. The capacity expansion is estimated to result in an additional freight traffic volume of 52 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum), contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing oil imports, lowering CO2 emissions, and aiding in achieving climate goals.
