Cabinet Approves Rail Multi-Tracking Projects Worth Rs 4,474 Crore in Jharkhand and West Bengal

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved two major railway multi-tracking projects in West Bengal and Jharkhand with a total investment of Rs 4,474 crore, aimed at improving rail capacity and operational efficiency.

The projects, proposed by the Ministry of Railways, include the construction of a fourth railway line on the Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur routes. Together, the projects will expand the existing Indian Railways network by about 192 kilometres across five districts in the two states.

Officials said the projects are expected to be completed by 2030–31 and will strengthen connectivity for nearly 5,652 villages with a combined population of around 1.47 crore people.

The expansion is also expected to make travel easier to several well-known tourist destinations, including Bolpur Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple, Tarapith Temple, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Patachitra Gram, Dhadika Forest and Rameshwar Kund.

According to an official statement, the additional railway lines will increase route capacity, reduce congestion and improve service reliability. The move is expected to enhance mobility for both passenger and freight trains, helping streamline railway operations.

The government said the projects align with the vision of a “New India” promoted by Prime Minister Modi, with a focus on strengthening regional infrastructure and creating new employment and self-employment opportunities.

These routes are considered important freight corridors, used for transporting key commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, foodgrains, petroleum products and containers.

Officials added that improving rail capacity will also help lower logistics costs and support India’s climate goals by promoting more efficient rail-based transportation.

The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through coordinated infrastructure development.

With inputs from IANS