Cabinet approves four multitracking projects covering eight Districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 410 Kms
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 19th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four multi-tracking railway projects across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh with a total estimated cost of Rs. 9,450 crore. These projects, spanning approximately 410 km, are slated for completion by 2030-31 and aim to enhance logistics efficiency and regional connectivity. The initiative is a strategic part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan designed to streamline operations and support the "Atmanirbhar" vision.
Key Points / Main Content
Project Scope and Infrastructure
Approval of four projects involving the construction of 3rd and 4th lines across eight districts in four states.
Specific routes include Kharagpur – Bhadrak (173 km), Bhadrak – Haridaspur (75 km), Gummidipundi – Gudur (90 km), and Cuttack – Paradeep (72 km).
The expansion will add approximately 410 km to the existing Indian Railways network.
Operational and Logistics Enhancements
The projects are designed to alleviate congestion, improve service reliability, and increase operational efficiency.
Capacity augmentation is expected to result in additional freight traffic of 76 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
The routes serve as essential corridors for transporting commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, steel, automobiles, and food grains.
Socio-Economic and Connectivity Benefits
The infrastructure will enhance connectivity for 6,448 villages, impacting a population of approximately 60 lakhs.
Improved access to prominent tourist destinations, including wildlife sanctuaries (Kuldiha, Bhitarkanika), beaches (Chandipur, Talsari-Udaypur), and numerous religious sites.
The projects aim to foster comprehensive regional development and increase employment and self-employment opportunities.
Environmental and Strategic Alignment
Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated multi-modal connectivity.
Expected environmental impacts include a reduction in oil imports by approximately 13 crore litres and a decrease in CO2 emissions by 65 crore kg.
Impact Analysis
Indian RailwaysImpact: Increased line capacity, improved mobility, and enhanced service reliability.
Action Required: Oversee the construction and integration of the 3rd and 4th lines to ensure completion by the 2030-31 deadline.
Local Communities and ResidentsImpact: Improved movement of people and services, alongside increased employment and self-employment opportunities for 60 lakh people.
Action Required: Leverage improved connectivity for regional economic development and local trade.
Industrial and Commercial StakeholdersImpact: Reduced logistics costs and streamlined transport for essential commodities like coal, iron, and food grains.
Action Required: Align logistics and supply chain strategies with the projected increase in rail freight capacity.
Tourism SectorImpact: Enhanced rail access to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and historical/religious sites.
Action Required: Develop local tourism infrastructure to accommodate the potential increase in visitors facilitated by better rail links.
Key Entities Referenced
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA): The committee chaired by the Prime Minister that granted approval for the four railway multi-tracking projects.
Ministry of Railways: The primary ministry responsible for the execution and implementation of the approved railway infrastructure projects.
PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan: The strategic framework guiding the integrated planning of these projects to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency.
West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh: The four states spanning eight districts where the railway network expansion and multi-tracking projects will be implemented.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Cabinet approves four multitracking projects
covering eight Districts in West Bengal, Odisha,
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, increasing the
existing network of Indian Railways by about 410
Kms
The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs. 9,450 crore to
be completed up to 2030-31
प्रव तथ: 19 AUG 2026 3:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today
has approved Four projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 9,450 crore approximately.
These projects include:
a. Kharagpur – Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th Line – 173 km (West Bengal and Odisha)
b. Bhadrak – Haridaspur 4th Line – 75 km (Odisha)
c. Gummidipundi – Gudur 3rd and 4th Line – 90 km (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu)
d. Cuttack – Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th Line - 72 km (Odisha)
The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational
efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to
streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of
comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment
opportunities.
The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal
connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These
projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
The 04 (Four) projects covering 08 Districts across the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 410 Kms. The proposed
multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages, which are having a
population of about 60 lakhs.
The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist
destinations across the country, including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa
Bhadrakali temple, Maa Dhamarai temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari–Udaypur and Chandipur
Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga
Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple, Lalitgiri (a Buddhist site), etc.The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore,
cement, iron and steel, container, automobile, food grains, etc. The capacity augmentation works will
result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 76 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways
being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving
climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (~13 Crore Litres) and lower
CO2 emissions (~65 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 2.60 crore trees.
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