Date: 2025-06-11Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Cabinet approves two multitracking projects across Indian Railways covering seven Districts in Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh increasing the existing network by about 318 Kms.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved two railway multi-tracking projects with a total estimated cost of Rs. 6,405 crore. These projects, encompassing the Koderma-Barkakana doubling (133 km) in Jharkhand and the Ballari-Chikjajur doubling (185 km) across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 318 km. The initiatives aim to improve travel, reduce logistics costs, decrease oil imports by 52 Crore Litres, and lower CO2 emissions by 264 Crore Kg which is equivalent to plantation of 11 Crore trees. The projects are expected to generate 108 lakh humandays of direct employment during construction, enhance connectivity to approximately 1,408 villages with a population of 28.19 lakh, and augment freight traffic capacity by 49 million tonnes per annum. These projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and will facilitate the efficient movement of people, goods, and services.
Key Entities Referenced
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs: A governmental committee that approved the multitracking projects.
CCEA: Acronym for Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
Indian Railways: The railway network that will be expanded by the projects.
Jharkhand: One of the states where the railway projects are located.
Karnataka: One of the states where the railway projects are located.
Andhra Pradesh: One of the states where the railway projects are located.
318 Kms: The approximate length of the railway network expansion.
Rs 6,405 crore: The total estimated cost of the projects.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - the source of the information.
Shri Narendra Modi: The Prime Minister of India, chair of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railway projects.
Koderma Barkakana Doubling: One of the approved railway projects, spanning 133 Kms.
Patna: A city connected by the Koderma Barkakana Doubling project.
Ranchi: A city connected by the Koderma Barkakana Doubling project.
Ballari Chikjajur Doubling: One of the approved railway projects, spanning 185 kms.
Ballari: A district in Karnataka through which the Ballari Chikjajur Doubling project traverses.
Chitradurga: A district in Karnataka through which the Ballari Chikjajur Doubling project traverses.
Anantapur: A district in Andhra Pradesh through which the Ballari Chikjajur Doubling project traverses.
New India: Vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
PMGati Shakti National Master Plan: A plan for multimodal connectivity that facilitated the projects.
49 MTPA: Million Tonnes Per Annum. The anticipated additional freight traffic.
MJPSBM Release ID: 2135643: Release Identification number
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Cabinet approves two multitracking projects across
Indian Railways covering seven Districts in
Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
increasing the existing network by about 318 Kms.
These initiatives will improve travel convenience,
reduce logistic cost, decrease oil imports and
contribute to lower CO2 emissions, supporting
sustainable and efficient rail operations
The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 6,405
crore
The projects will generate direct employment for
about 108 lakh human-days during construction
Posted On: 11 JUN 2025 3:05PM by PIB Delhi
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has
approved Two projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 6,405 crore. These projects include:
1. Koderma – Barkakana Doubling (133 Kms) – The project section passes through a major
coal producing area of Jharkhand. Furthermore, it serves as the shortest and more efficient rail link
between Patna and Ranchi.
2. Ballari – Chikjajur Doubling (185 kms.) – The project line traverses through Ballari and
Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
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 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 result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity which have been
possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods
and services.
The two projects covering seven Districts across the states of Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, willincrease the existing network of Indian Railways by about 318 Kms.
The approved multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 1,408 villages, which are having a
population of about 28.19 lakh.
These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, finished steel, cement,
fertilizers, agriculture commodities, and Petroleum products etc. The capacity augmentation works will result
in additional freight traffic of magnitude 49 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 (52 Crore Litres) and lower CO emissions
2
(264 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 11 Crore trees.
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MJPS/BM
(Release ID: 2135643)