Centre approves 4 multi-tracking railway projects, including 2 in Odisha

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total cost of Rs. 18,658 crore (approx.). The four projects cover 15 Districts in 3 States- Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.

As per official sources, the Indian Railways plans to undertake four multi-tracking projects aimed at ensuring seamless and faster transportation of both passengers and goods. These initiatives will improve travel convenience, reduce logistic costs, decrease oil imports, and contribute to lower CO2 emissions, supporting sustainable and efficient rail operations.

Project Details

The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs.18,658 crore and will be completed up to 2030-31. The projects will also generate direct employment for about 379 lakh human days during construction.

These projects include:

Sambalpur – Jarapda 3rd and 4th Line                             
Jharsuguda – Sason 3rd and 4th Line                      
Kharsia – Naya Raipur – Parmalkasa 5th and 6th Line     
Gondia – Balharshah doubling    

With these projects 19 New Stations will be constructed, enhancing connectivity to Two Aspirational Districts (Gadchiroli and Rajnandgaon). The multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 3350 villages and about 47.25 lakh population.

Kharsia – Naya Raipur – Parmalkasa will provide direct connectivity to new areas such as Baloda Bazar, this will create possibilities for setting up new industrial units including cement plants in the region.

These are essential routes for the transportation of commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, limestone, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 88.77 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).