Cabinet Approves Rail Multi-Tracking Projects Worth ₹18,509 Crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three major multi-tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways aimed at enhancing capacity and easing congestion across key routes. The projects — Kasara–Manmad (3rd and 4th line), Delhi–Ambala (3rd and 4th line), and Ballari–Hosapete (3rd and 4th line) — involve an estimated investment of ₹18,509 crore and are scheduled for completion by 2030–31. Spread across 12 districts in Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, the initiatives will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 389 km. The increased line capacity is expected to improve operational efficiency, service reliability, and passenger convenience, while streamlining train movements on heavily utilized corridors. Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects focus on integrated infrastructure development and multi-modal connectivity. They are projected to enhance connectivity for nearly 3,902 villages, benefiting an estimated population of about 97 lakh. The upgraded routes will also improve access to prominent tourist destinations such as Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Bhavli Dam, Hampi, Ballari Fort, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Tungabhadra Dam, and the Vijaya Vittala Temple. These corridors serve as vital freight routes for commodities including coal, steel, iron ore, cement, fertilizers, containers, and foodgrains. Capacity augmentation is expected to enable additional freight traffic of 96 MTPA. Railways estimate environmental benefits, including savings of around 22 crore litres of oil imports and reduction of 111 crore kg of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to planting about four crore trees. The projects will generate nearly 265 lakh human-days of employment during construction.