India’s railway network is set for another major infrastructure upgrade after the Union Cabinet approved three large railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹23,437 crore. The projects will expand railway capacity across six states and add nearly 901 km to the Indian Railways network.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the projects as part of a broader push to modernize India’s transport infrastructure and reduce congestion on busy railway corridors.
Three Major Rail Projects Approved
The approved projects include:
- Nagda–Mathura 3rd and 4th railway line
- Guntakal–Wadi 3rd and 4th railway line
- Burhwal–Sitapur 3rd and 4th railway line
These projects will pass through 19 districts across:
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
The additional railway lines are aimed at increasing line capacity, reducing train delays, and improving overall operational efficiency for both passenger and freight movement.
Completion Target Set For 2030-31
According to official details, the projects are expected to be completed by the financial year 2030-31. The investment will cover:
- Construction of additional rail tracks
- Signalling upgrades
- Capacity enhancement works
- Railway infrastructure modernization
Officials say these corridors currently experience heavy traffic congestion, affecting train punctuality and freight operations. The new third and fourth lines are expected to significantly ease bottlenecks.
Connectivity Boost For Villages, Tourism And Industry
The government stated that the projects will improve rail connectivity for around 4,161 villages with a combined population of nearly 83 lakh people.
The upgraded rail corridors will also improve access to several major tourist and religious destinations including:
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
- Ranthambore National Park
- Kuno National Park
- Mathura
- Vrindavan
- Marriage haranya
The routes are also considered critical for transporting:
- Coal
- Cement
- Fertilisers
- Iron ore
- Food grains
- Petroleum products
- Steel and industrial cargo
Freight Capacity To Increase Significantly
Railway officials estimate the new capacity expansion projects could enable additional freight movement of nearly 60 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The projects are being planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated transport infrastructure, logistics efficiency, and multi-modal connectivity across India.
Part Of India’s Larger Rail Modernization Push
The approval reflects the government’s continued focus on large-scale railway modernization through:
- Dedicated freight corridors
- High-speed rail projects
- Multi-tracking and electrification
- Station redevelopment
- Logistics infrastructure upgrades
Indian Railways has increasingly prioritized capacity enhancement projects to handle rising passenger traffic and freight demand as India’s economy expands.
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