New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four major multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways worth approximately ₹24,634 crore.
These initiatives will expand the Indian Railways network by about 894 kilometres across 18 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, with completion targeted by 2030–31.
Four Multitracking Projects to Strengthen Railway Infrastructure
The newly sanctioned multitracking projects include:
- Wardha–Bhusawal 3rd & 4th line (314 km) – Maharashtra
- Gondia–Dongargarh 4th line (84 km) – Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
- Vadodara–Ratlam 3rd & 4th line (259 km) – Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
- Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina 4th line (237 km) – Madhya Pradesh
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Collectively, these projects will serve around 3,633 villages with a combined population of 85.84 lakh, spanning two Aspirational Districts—Vidisha and Rajnandgaon.
Multitracking Projects to Boost Mobility and Regional Development
The implementation of these multitracking projects is expected to significantly increase line capacity, enhancing mobility, operational efficiency, and service reliability.
The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of building a New India and fostering Atmanirbhar Bharat through improved regional connectivity, employment generation, and self-reliance.
Integration with PM Gati Shakti Master Plan
Designed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the multitracking projects focus on strengthening multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder collaboration.
This expansion will ensure smoother passenger and freight movement, improving connectivity to industrial and economic zones.
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Key Freight and Environmental Benefits
The capacity enhancement across these corridors will facilitate the movement of essential commodities such as coal, cement, food grains, steel, containers, and fly ash, adding an estimated 78 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of freight capacity.
Moreover, the projects are set to reduce oil imports by nearly 28 crore litres and cut CO₂ emissions by 139 crore kilograms—equivalent to planting six crore trees—further advancing India’s climate goals.
Enhanced Tourism and Connectivity
The expanded railway network will also improve access to several notable tourist and heritage sites including Sanchi, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park, supporting tourism-led economic growth across central India.
