Track Record: Cabinet Approves ₹23,437 Cr Railway Upgrade

The Union Cabinet has approved three railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹23,437 crore to ease congestion on key routes and enhance network capacity, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The projects include the Nagda–Mathura line, the Guntakal–Wadi third and fourth line expansion, and the Burhwal–Sitapur third and fourth line expansion. Together, they will add around 901 kilometres to the Indian Railways network.

According to the government, the projects are part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and aim to strengthen multi-modal connectivity, streamline rail operations, and improve overall service reliability.

Spanning 19 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the projects are expected to benefit nearly 4,161 villages with a combined population of about 83 lakh. They will also enhance connectivity to key tourist destinations such as the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park, and Mathura.

The government said the expanded capacity will facilitate the movement of essential commodities including coal, cement, foodgrains, and steel, while enabling additional freight traffic of around 60 million tonnes per annum.

The ministry added that the projects are likely to reduce logistics costs, cut oil imports by an estimated 37 crore litres, and lower carbon emissions by about 185 crore kilograms—equivalent to planting nearly 7 crore trees.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.