New Delhi, Mar 10: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved two major railway multitracking projects worth ₹4,474 crore aimed at strengthening rail infrastructure and easing congestion on key routes in eastern India.
The projects, proposed by the Ministry of Railways, involve construction of fourth railway lines on the Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur routes, spanning districts across West Bengal and Jharkhand.
According to an official statement, the projects will expand the network of Indian Railways by around 192 kilometres and are scheduled to be completed by 2030–31.
The additional lines are expected to increase line capacity, reduce congestion on busy rail corridors and improve operational efficiency, benefiting both passenger and freight services.
“The projects aim to increase line capacity and improve operational efficiency, reducing congestion on busy railway corridors,” the government said.
Officials said the expansion will improve rail connectivity for around 5,652 villages with a combined population of nearly 1.47 crore people across the two states.
The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated infrastructure development to strengthen multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Once completed, the upgraded corridors are expected to handle additional freight traffic of about 31 million tonnes per annum, facilitating the transport of key commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, foodgrains, petroleum products and containers.
The improved rail network will also enhance access to major tourist destinations including Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple, Tarapith, Patachitra Gram, Dhadika Forest, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary and Rameshwar Kund.
The government said the projects would also generate environmental and economic benefits, including reducing logistics costs, cutting oil imports by around six crore litres and lowering carbon emissions by about 28 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting nearly one crore trees.
“Greater use of rail transport will help reduce logistics costs, cut oil imports by around six crore litres and lower carbon emissions by about 28 crore kilograms,” the statement added.
