Cabinet Clears ₹18,658 Crore Railway Expansion in Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh

In a significant infrastructure boost to India’s railway network, the Union Cabinet on April 4 approved four major railway projects spanning the states of Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, with an estimated cumulative investment of ₹18,658 crore. These multitracking projects, to be executed under the Ministry of Railways, will extend the rail network by 1,247 kilometers and are aimed at enhancing passenger and freight mobility while also reinforcing India’s push toward low-carbon transportation.

Major Railway Push Across 15 Districts, Connecting 3,350 Villages

The approved infrastructure development will benefit 15 districts across the three key states and involve the construction of 19 new railway stations, significantly improving accessibility for over 47.25 lakh people. The new lines will enhance connectivity to nearly 3,350 villages, ensuring broader economic participation from previously underserved regions.

The four multi-tracking projects are targeted at streamlining supply chains, especially for coal, iron ore, and other minerals, which are vital for India’s industrial and energy sectors. According to a statement from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), these projects are designed to boost logistics efficiency, reduce congestion on existing rail lines, and improve service reliability across some of Indian Railways’ busiest corridors.

Highlights:

• Four projects approved across Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh

• Total estimated cost: ₹18,658 crore

• Rail network expansion: 1,247 kilometers

• 19 new stations to improve rural connectivity for 3,350 villages

Economic, Environmental, and Employment Gains Projected

The projects are expected to generate about 379 lakh human-days of direct employment during the construction phase, providing a major thrust to job creation in the infrastructure and allied sectors. The rail expansion plan also aligns with the government’s emphasis on green transportation, aiming to cut logistics costs, reduce oil imports, and lower CO₂ emissions through improved rail efficiency.

The multitracking upgrades will enhance line capacity in mineral-rich regions, critical for India’s ongoing industrial expansion. With an expected completion timeline of 2030-31, these projects will strengthen freight corridors used for transporting bulk commodities like coal and iron ore to manufacturing hubs and ports, thereby reducing dependency on road transport and minimizing environmental impact.

Highlights:

• Employment generation: 379 lakh human-days during construction

• Reduction in logistics costs and fossil fuel dependence

• Projects will support bulk freight movement in key mineral belts

Strategic Infrastructure for a Self-Reliant India

The government emphasized that the rail infrastructure development is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “New India”, underlining efforts to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by improving regional accessibility and economic prospects. Enhanced rail infrastructure is expected to create fresh employment and self-employment opportunities in the project regions by enabling improved market access and industrial activity.

The CCEA noted that these new multi-tracking projects are also meant to decongest existing saturated routes, especially those used for coal evacuation and other critical freight movements. This is especially relevant for industrial belts in eastern and central India, which play a vital role in India’s energy and manufacturing supply chains.

Highlights:

• Focus on PM Modi’s “New India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives

• Strategic decongestion of high-traffic railway corridors

• Rail upgrade to stimulate regional growth and industrial output