These projects aim to enhance logistical efficiency by bridging unconnected regions, expanding existing line capacities, and upgrading transportation networks, the ministry said. This development is expected to streamline supply chains and boost economic growth, it added.

“The new line proposals will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for the Indian Railways. The multi-tracking proposal will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across the Indian Railways.”

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According to the ministry, these initiatives align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a “New India,” aimed at fostering regional self-reliance and creating job opportunities through comprehensive infrastructure development.

The projects, part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, have been made possible through coordinated planning,  the ministry said. They promise seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.

Covering seven districts across four states—Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh—the projects will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 300 kilometres. 

“With these projects, 14 new stations will be constructed, providing enhanced connectivity to two aspirational districts (Nuapada and East Singhbum),” it added.

The new lines are expected to connect around 1,300 villages, benefiting a population of approximately 11 lakh. Additionally, the multi-tracking initiative will improve connectivity for another 1,300 villages, impacting roughly 19 lakh people.

These projects will also benefit freight traffic by facilitating the transport of commodities such as agricultural products, fertilisers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone. The capacity expansion is projected to accommodate an additional freight load of 45 million tonnes per annum.

“The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (10 crore litres) and lower CO2 emissions (240 crore kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 9.7 crore trees,” it added.

With inputs from PTI