In a significant stride towards modernising India’s rail infrastructure, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two key railway multitracking projects worth a whopping Rs 6,405 crore. The move aims to improve regional connectivity, streamline freight movement, and support sustainable development.
Taking to social media, Prime Minister Modi remarked, “These projects will improve connectivity and boost sustainability. Our government is committed to strengthening infrastructure that ensures growth and prosperity for all.”
As per details provided by the Railway Ministry, the sanctioned projects include:
• Doubling of the Koderma–Barkakana line in Jharkhand, a critical move to ease congestion and support industrial movement.
• Doubling of the Ballari–Chikjajur railway line, which runs through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, aimed at reducing travel time and facilitating cargo transportation.
The projects are expected to be completed within a span of three years, generating employment and increasing rail capacity in fast-developing zones.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that these projects form part of the larger national initiative under the PM Gati Shakti plan, which integrates various infrastructure sectors for coordinated and faster implementation.
The Ministry also informed that hospitals, schools, and industries along these routes will greatly benefit from enhanced rail access. The development will further aid in decongesting existing lines, ensuring timely passenger and freight movement, and reducing dependency on road transport — a step that aligns with India’s sustainable development goals.
With this latest approval, the Modi government reiterates its focus on infrastructure-driven growth, with an eye on both economic upliftment and environmental balance.
The projects mark another milestone in the series of high-value infrastructure decisions in recent months, further solidifying India’s commitment to becoming a global logistics hub.