Indian Cabinet approves Rs 20,000 crore railway expansion projects

Indian Railways railway expansion multitracking projects infrastructure investment PM Gati Shakti

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved several major railway expansion projects across India. One significant package worth Rs 10,783 crore includes three multitracking projects covering West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. These projects—the Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth line, the Katni-Pendra Road fourth line, and the Bilaspur (Uslapur)-Pendra Road third line—are expected to add approximately 656 km to the network and are slated for completion by 2029-30. This initiative aims to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency, and increase freight capacity, particularly for bulk commodities like coal, cement, iron, and steel.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved a broader set of railway projects totaling over Rs 20,000 crore across eight states, which will add roughly 1,196 km to the existing network. These include projects in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, such as the Arakkonam-Renigunta expansion and the Hosur-Omalur doubling. These developments, planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, are intended to enhance multi-modal connectivity, boost regional tourism to sites like the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and various temples, and lower national logistics costs.

Entities

Ashwini Vaishnaw · Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs · Indian Railways · Narendra Modi · PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The approved railway projects are scheduled for completion by the 2029-30 fiscal year. www.latestly.com · www.news9live.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · pragativadi.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The approved projects include the Kharagpur-Jharsuguda fourth line, Katni-Pendra Road fourth line, and Bilaspur-Pendra Road third line. www.latestly.com · www.news9live.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · pragativadi.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The capacity expansion is expected to increase freight traffic by 27 million tonnes per annum. pragativadi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Rs 10,783 crore projects will cover 14 districts across five states. www.latestly.com · www.news9live.com · pragativadi.com
[DISPUTED] A total of eight railway projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore were approved, covering eight states. www.orissapost.com · www.dnaindia.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The three specific projects in the Rs 10,783 crore package will add approximately 656 km to the rail network. www.latestly.com · www.news9live.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · pragativadi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The new rail infrastructure will improve access to various religious and tourist sites, including the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Jagannath Temple. www.news9live.com · pragativadi.com
[DISPUTED] The CCEA approved three railway multitracking projects worth Rs 10,783 crore across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. www.latestly.com · www.news9live.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · pragativadi.com