Press note Details: Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Railways

Boost to Railway Infrastructure: Cabinet Approves Eight New Railway Line Projects

Posted On: 10 AUG 2024 6:15PM

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved eight projects under the Ministry of Railways, with an estimated total cost of approximately ₹24,657 crore. These projects are expected to be completed by the 2030-31 fiscal year.

These new railway line proposals are designed to provide direct connectivity, improve mobility, minimize logistics cost, reduce oil imports and lower CO2 emissions. Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India, these initiatives aim to empower the people of the region, making them "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliant) through comprehensive development, which will improve employment and self-employment opportunities.

The eight projects cover 14 districts across seven states- Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana, and West Bengal- and will extend the Indian Railways network by 900 kilometers. In addition, 64 new stations will be constructed as part of the projects, improving connectivity to six Aspirational Districts (East Singhbum, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada), approximately 510 villages, and around 40 lakh people.

These routes are crucial for the transportation of commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminium powder, granite, ballast, containers, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of 143 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways, being an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help achieve climate goals, minimize the country's logistics costs, reduce oil imports by 32.20 crore liters, and lower CO2 emissions by 0.87 million tonnes, which is equivalent to planting 3.5 crore trees.

Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be connected to the Indian Railway Network, facilitating a large number of tourists. These projects are a result of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, made possible through integrated planning, and will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.

In the Union Budget 2024-25, presented by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23, 2024, a record capital expenditure (Capex) of ₹2,62,200 crores was allocated to the Railways. The Gross Budgetary Support for the same period is set at ₹2,52,200 crores, a significant increase from the ₹2,40,200 crores in 2023-24, and a substantial rise from ₹28,174 crores in 2013-14.