New Delhi: In a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today approved three projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of ₹10,783 crore. 

These projects include: Kharagpur – Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line; Katni – Pendra Road 4th Line; and Bilaspur (Uslapur) – Pendra Road 3rd Line.

Official sources said the increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for the Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. 

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The three projects covering 14 districts across the states of Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will increase the existing network of the Indian Railways by about 656 Kms. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approx. 4,790 villages, which are having a population of about 56 lakhs.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple (Ancient temple near Jharsuguda), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site, Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple, etc.

The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 27 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).