Five States To Get New Multi-Tracking Rail Infrastructure Under Rs 10,021-Crore Plan
Cabinet approves major rail expansion projects across five states.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved five multitracking railway projects involving an investment of Rs 10,021 crore. The projects will cover 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and add about 540 km to the existing Indian Railways network. The government expects the expanded rail capacity to improve mobility, reduce congestion and strengthen operational efficiency and service reliability.
The approved projects include the Arakkonam-Renigunta third and fourth lines covering 77 km, the Whitefield-Bangarapet third and fourth lines covering 47 km, and doubling of the Hosur-Omalur route over 147 km. The package also includes doubling of the 159-km Salem-Karur-Dindigul route and the 110-km Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet section. Together, the works are expected to improve rail connectivity to around 2,121 villages with a combined population of approximately 52 lakh.
The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with an emphasis on integrated planning and improved multimodal connectivity. According to the government, the additional line capacity will enable smoother movement of passengers, goods and services while helping address congestion on busy railway routes. The projects are scheduled for completion by 2029-30 and are also intended to improve logistics efficiency by strengthening connections between important economic and transport centres.
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The enhanced railway network is expected to improve access to several prominent tourist and religious destinations in the four states. These include Tirupati, Tiruttani, Tiruchanur, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogenakkal Falls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namakkal, Yadagirigutta, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri and Swarnagiri Temple. Better rail capacity on these routes could support the movement of visitors while improving connectivity for communities and businesses located along the corridors.
The routes are also important for transporting commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products and fertilisers. The capacity augmentation is projected to support additional freight traffic of around 47 million tonnes per annum. By increasing the capacity of existing railway corridors, the projects are expected to provide greater scope for shifting freight and passenger movement to rail, which the government identifies as an energy-efficient and relatively environment-friendly mode of transport.
The government has also projected environmental and economic benefits from the projects. According to the official statement, the expanded rail capacity could help reduce logistics costs and lower dependence on imported oil, with estimated savings of around eight crore litres of oil. The projects are also expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 42 crore kg, an amount the statement equates to the carbon absorption potential of approximately two crore trees. The overall investment is therefore aimed at combining railway capacity expansion with improved connectivity, freight movement and logistics efficiency.
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