Cabinet approves two multitracking projects covering 5 Districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 192 Kms

**Executive Summary** The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved two multitracking projects for Indian Railways, costing approximately Rs 4,474 crore and scheduled for completion by 2030-31. These projects, Sainthia-Pakur 4th line and Santragachi-Kharagpur 4th line, aim to increase railway network capacity by 192 Kms across five districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand, enhancing mobility and operational efficiency. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Project Approvals:** * Two multitracking projects for Indian Railways have been approved. * The total estimated cost is Rs 4,474 crore. * Projects are expected to be completed by 2030-31. * **Specific Projects:** * Sainthia - Pakur 4th line. * Santragachi – Kharagpur 4th line. * **Objectives and Benefits:** * Increase line capacity, enhancing mobility, operational efficiency, and service reliability. * Streamline operations and alleviate congestion. * Align with the Prime Minister's Vision of a New India, promoting regional development and employment opportunities. * Enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning, aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan. * Provide seamless connectivity for people, goods, and services. * Increase the existing railway network by approximately 192 Kms across five districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand. * Improve connectivity to approximately 5,652 villages with a population of about 147 lakhs. * Enhance rail connectivity to prominent tourist destinations. * Facilitate the transportation of essential commodities like coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, foodgrains, POL, and containers. * Augment capacity, resulting in an additional freight traffic of 31 MTPA. * Promote environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation. * Contribute to achieving climate goals by reducing oil import by 6 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 28 crore Kg (equivalent to planting 1 crore trees). **Impact Analysis** * **Indian Railways** * **Impact:** Improved operational efficiency, enhanced mobility, increased service reliability, and significant capacity augmentation for freight and passenger movement. Expansion of the railway network and improved connectivity to villages and tourist destinations. * **Action Required:** Implement the approved multitracking projects, manage the construction and associated works, and operationalize the increased capacity. * **Residents of West Bengal and Jharkhand (across 5 Districts)** * **Impact:** Enhanced connectivity, improved access to transportation for people and goods, potential for increased employment and self-employment opportunities due to regional development. Improved access to tourist destinations. * **Action Required:** Benefit from improved transportation services and infrastructure once the projects are completed. * **Industries and Businesses (Transportation of Commodities)** * **Impact:** Enhanced efficiency and capacity for transporting essential commodities, potentially leading to reduced logistics costs and increased economic activity. * **Action Required:** Utilize the expanded rail network for freight transportation. * **Environment and Country** * **Impact:** Contribution to climate goals through reduced oil imports and lower CO2 emissions, promoting sustainable transportation. * **Action Required:** Realize the environmental benefits derived from the shift towards more efficient rail transport.

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