Track to the Future: The ₹24k Crore Rail Mega-Project

The Union Cabinet has approved two major railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹24,815 crore to ease congestion and enhance capacity across key routes in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

The projects will span 15 districts and add approximately 601 km to the Indian Railways network. These include the 403-km Ghaziabad–Sitapur third and fourth line project in Uttar Pradesh and the 198-km Rajahmundry–Visakhapatnam third and fourth line project in Andhra Pradesh. The latter, part of the Howrah–Chennai High Density Network, will expand into a total track length of 458 km under a broader quadrupling plan.

The expansion is expected to significantly improve freight connectivity to major ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram Port, Machilipatnam, and Kakinada, while also enhancing access to key tourist and pilgrimage destinations. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that the projects are essential to boost line capacity on these high-traffic corridors.

The Ghaziabad–Sitapur route is among the most congested in the country, while the East Coast corridor in Andhra Pradesh is witnessing rising passenger and freight demand. The new lines will largely run parallel to existing tracks, with bypasses planned around densely populated urban areas to improve efficiency and reduce delays.

Overall, the projects are expected to strengthen freight movement, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance operational efficiency across two of India’s most critical railway corridors.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.