Indian government approves eight railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore
Quick Look
- The Indian government approved eight railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore to enhance passenger and freight movement across high-density networks in multiple states.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the projects, which will add 1,196 km of track by 2029-30 and increase annual freight capacity by 74 million tonnes.
- The projects focus on key routes for coal, cement, steel, containers, automobiles, foodgrains, petroleum, and fertilizers, with additional benefits for tourism and logistics cost reduction.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Indian government has been pushing for railway modernization under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighting past transformations in design, land acquisition, and technology use such as aerial mapping and AI-backed monitoring.
NEW DELHI: Govt on Wednesday approved eight railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore as part of a big push for faster movement of passengers and goods across its high-density networks.PM Narendra Modi said that these projects will “ensure stronger connectivity, faster passenger movement and lower logistics cost”. Announcing the decisions, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the multi-tracking projects -- doubling and the laying of third and fourth lines -- spanning 14 districts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; and 17 districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana will increase the capacity of the eight lines for running passenger and freight trains. On completion of these projects by 2029-30, the railway network will increase by 1,196 km. This is also estimated to increase freight loading by 74 million tonnes per annum. Govt said the projects are for key routes for movement of coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, foodgrains, petroleum products and fertiliser. In a post on X, Modi said the three multitracking projects across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal will also “encourage tourism, especially heritage and wildlife related tourism”, besides lowering logistics costs.
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Vaishnaw said that in the past 12 years, there has been a complete transformation of railways. The national transporter has gone for modern designs to minimise land acquisition. He added that aerial mapping and artificial intelligence–backed monitoring is helping get the actual status of land parcels. The minister also said that land related pre-investment activities are now being started before project sanction.
50% Budget Spent by Sept: Vaishnaw
Vaishnaw said 50% of the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for Indian Railways for 2026-27 has been spent till the first week of Sept. Railways have got allocation of Rs 2.8 lakh crore as GBS in FY27.
End of Article
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Freight loading on Indian Railways will increase by 74 million tonnes per annum upon completion of the projects
Very likely · Within years
The railway network will increase by 1,196 km after project completion
Very likely · Within years
Open Questions
- What is the exact timeline for each of the eight projects?
- How will land acquisition be managed for the new tracks in ecologically sensitive areas?
- What specific technologies will be used for monitoring and maintenance post-completion?
