Cabinet approves Rs 9,450 crore railway multi-tracking projects across four states
The approved projects include the 173-km Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital) fourth line, 75-km Bhadrak–Haridaspur fourth line, 90-km Gummidipundi–Gudur third and fourth lines, and the 72-km Cuttack–Paradeep (Badabandha) third and fourth lines.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated infrastructure development. Together, they will add about 410 km to the Indian Railways network, benefiting around 6,448 villages with a combined population of nearly 60 lakh.
The capacity expansion will improve connectivity to major tourist destinations, including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lalitgiri Buddhist site and several prominent temples across the four states.
The corridors are key freight routes for commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains. The projects are expected to increase freight handling capacity by 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
According to the government, the capacity augmentation will also help reduce logistics costs, save approximately 13 crore litres of oil, and cut 65 crore kg of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to planting 2.6 crore trees, supporting India's climate and sustainability goals.
Published on:
20 August 2026
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