The Union Cabinet has approved four railway multitracking projects worth Rs 9,450 crore that will add approximately 410 km to Indian Railways' network across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, expected to facilitate an additional 76 million tonnes of annual freight traffic by 2030-31, according to Business-Today.
Business-Today reported that the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared five infrastructure projects in total worth Rs 13,041 crore. Alongside the railway lines, it approved the four-laning of an 82.578-km section of NH-22 between Muzaffarpur and Sonbarsa in Bihar under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a capital cost of Rs 3,590.73 crore. The railway projects span eight districts and are expected to improve connectivity to nearly 6,448 villages with a combined population of around 60 lakh, the publication said. Business-Today also reported the decisions are expected to improve logistics efficiency, regional connectivity and movement of goods and passengers.
Railway projects: Route-by-route breakdown
Business-Today listed the four sanctioned railway multitracking projects:
| Project | States Covered | Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th line | West Bengal, Odisha | 173 km | Rs 3,352 crore |
| Bhadrak-Haridaspur 4th line | Odisha | 75 km | Rs 1,583 crore |
| Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines | Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu | 90 km | Rs 2,229 crore |
| Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th lines | Odisha | 72 km | Rs 2,286 crore |
The projects are scheduled to be completed by 2030-31 and are expected to facilitate an additional 76 million tonnes of freight traffic annually, according to Business-Today. The routes carry coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains, making them critical for industrial and bulk cargo movements.
Howrah-Chennai line to be fully quadrupled
Cabinet Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the briefing that the first three projects are on the Howrah-Chennai main line. "If we understand the importance of the first set of projects, the Howrah-Chennai route is a very important main line," Vaishnaw said, according to Business-Today.
"So, from Howrah to Chennai, we will ultimately have a complete quadrupled, four-line route. This will allow us to operate many more trains. It will also facilitate the movement of cargo and make maintenance easier."
He said the fourth project lies on the Paradip-Cuttack section. Business-Today also reported that Indian Railways expects the increased capacity to reduce oil imports by around 13 crore litres and lower CO2 emissions by around 65 crore kg. The projects are also said to improve connectivity to tourist destinations, including Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary and Lalitgiri, the publication noted.
NH-22 highway upgrade to the Nepal border
The cleared highway project will upgrade the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 to four-lane standards. According to Business-Today, the 82.578-km corridor will serve as a key feeder corridor connecting the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa with Muzaffarpur and NH-27, part of the East-West Corridor. It is designed for a maximum speed of 100 kmph with an average speed of 80 kmph, and will have no at-grade median openings. The build includes seven major bridges, notably a 340-metre bridge over the Bagmati River, three railway overbridges and two flyovers measuring 1,170 metres and 270 metres. The project is expected to reduce congestion in Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa.
Implications for freight and logistics operators
Business-Today reported the projects are expected to ease congestion, improve freight movement and add capacity on routes used for coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains. Vaishnaw said the quadrupled Howrah-Chennai route will allow many more trains to operate and facilitate cargo movement. The scheduled completion by 2030-31 means operators can plan for the additional freight capacity within that timeframe. The NH-22 upgrade is expected to reduce congestion and serve as a key feeder corridor between the Nepal border and NH-27, according to Business-Today.
Watch list
- Completion of the four railway projects by 2030-31, as scheduled.
- The ultimate quadrupling of the full Howrah-Chennai main line, per Vaishnaw.
- Indian Railways' projected savings of 13 crore litres of oil imports and 65 crore kg of CO2 emissions from the added capacity.
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