Date: 2026-02-24Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Cabinet approves three multitracking projects covering 8 Districts across the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 307 Kms
**Executive Summary**
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three Ministry of Railways projects with an estimated cost of Rs 9,072 crore. These projects involve multi-tracking across eight districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The projects aim to increase the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 307 Kms and are slated for completion by 2030-31.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview:**
* Approval of three railway multi-tracking projects.
* Covers 8 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
* Increases railway network by about 307 Kms.
* Total estimated cost: Rs 9,072 crore.
* Completion target: 2030-31.
* **Specific Projects:**
* Gondia – Jabalpur Doubling
* Punarakh - Kiul 3rd and 4th line
* Gamharia - Chandil 3rd and 4th line
* **Project Benefits:**
* Enhances connectivity to approximately 5,407 villages (population ~98 lakhs).
* Improves mobility and operational efficiency.
* Streamlines operations and alleviates congestion.
* Enhances employment/self-employment opportunities.
* Planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
* Focuses on multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency.
* Provides seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
* Improves rail connectivity to tourist destinations.
* Increases freight traffic of magnitude 52 MTPA.
* Reduces oil import and CO2 emissions
* **Commodities Transported:**
* Essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, ballast and stone chips, fly ash, fertilizers, limestone, manganese, dolomite, foodgrains, POL etc
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** The projects will improve operational efficiency, service reliability, and line capacity, as well as increase freight traffic.
* **Action Required:** Execute the approved multi-tracking projects as per the outlined plan, ensuring completion by 2030-31.
**Local Population (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced connectivity, increased employment/self-employment opportunities, and improved access to tourist destinations.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the enhanced connectivity and opportunities for economic and personal development.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The rail network that will be expanded by 307 Kms through the approved multitracking projects.
PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan: The national plan under which the multitracking projects are planned to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs: The committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, that approved the three multitracking projects.
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand: The states across which the multitracking projects will take place.
Ministry of Railways
Cabinet approves three multitracking projects
covering 8 Districts across the states of
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and
Jharkhand, increasing the existing network of
Indian Railways by about 307 Kms
The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 9,072 crore and
will be completed by 2030-31
Posted On: 24 FEB 2026 3:42PM by PIB Delhi
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today
has approved 3 (Three) projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 9,072 crore (approx.). These
projects include:
1. Gondia – Jabalpur Doubling
2. Punarakh - Kiul 3rd and 4th line
3. Gamharia - Chandil 3rd and 4th line
The 3 (three) projects covering 8 Districts across the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and
Jharkhand will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 307 Kms.
The proposed multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 5,407 villages, which are having
a population of about 98 lakhs.
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 Modiji’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 proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist
destinations across the country, including Kachnar Shiv Temple (Jabalpur), Kanha National Park
(Balaghat), Gangulpara Dam and Waterfall, Pench National Park, Dhuandhar waterfall, Bargi Dam,
Gomji-Somji temple, Chandil Dam, Dalma Hill Top, Hesakocha Waterfall, Raijama Ghati, Dalma Wildlife
Sanctuary, etc.The projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement,
ballast and stone chips, fly ash, fertilizers, limestone, manganese, dolomite, foodgrains, POL etc. The
capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 52 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 (6 Crore Litres) and lower CO emissions (30 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to
2
plantation of One Crore trees.
****
MJPS
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