Cabinet Approves Five Multi-Tracking Rail Projects Worth Rs 10,021 Crore

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved five multi-tracking railway projects with a total investment of Rs 10,021 crore. The projects are spread across 17 districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana and will add approximately 540 km to the existing rail network.

The approved projects include the Arakkonam-Renigunta 3rd and 4th Line (77 km), Whitefield-Bangarapet 3rd and 4th Line (47 km), Hosur-Omalur Doubling (147 km), Salem-Karur-Dindigul Doubling (159 km), and Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet (110 km). The work is scheduled to be completed by 2029-30.

Officials said the capacity enhancement will improve connectivity for around 2,121 villages with a combined population of roughly 52 lakh. The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with an emphasis on integrated planning and multi-modal connectivity.

The new lines are expected to ease congestion and improve operational efficiency. They will also serve as key routes for transporting coal, cement, iron and steel, food grains, fertilisers, and other commodities. The additional capacity is projected to support freight traffic of about 47 million tonnes per annum.

The projects will also improve access to several tourist destinations, including Tirupati, Kodaikanal Hills, Mettur Dam, and Yadagirigutta Temple. On the environmental front, the railways' energy-efficient mode of transport is expected to reduce oil imports by around 8 crore litres and cut CO2 emissions by 42 crore kg, a reduction equivalent to planting roughly 2 crore trees.