Rail Expansion: Rs 18,658 Crore Multi-Tracking Projects In Maharashtra, Odisha And Chhattisgarh Get Union Cabinet Nod

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four major multi-tracking railway projects worth Rs 18,658 crore, an official release said on Friday (4 April).

Spread across 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, the projects will add approximately 1,247 km to the Indian Railways network.

The sanctioned works include the Sambalpur–Jarapda third and fourth lines, Jharsuguda–Sason third and fourth lines, Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalkasa fifth and sixth lines, and doubling of the Gondia–Balharshah section.

"The enhanced line capacity will improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways," the release said.

The projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and are expected to contribute to regional economic growth.

A total of 19 new railway stations will be built under these proposals, enhancing connectivity to around 3,350 villages and benefiting a population of approximately 47.25 lakh.

Two aspirational districts—Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh—will also see improved rail access.

The Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalkasa line is set to offer direct connectivity to Baloda Bazar, opening up industrial development possibilities, including for new cement plants.

These routes are critical for transporting key commodities such as coal, iron ore, steel, cement, fertilizers, limestone, and agricultural produce.

The expanded capacity is expected to support an additional 88.77 million tonnes of freight annually.

Beyond the economic impact, the projects are projected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and oil imports.

The government estimates a savings of 950 million litres of oil and a reduction of 4.77 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions— equivalent to planting 190 million trees.

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