The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved five railway multi-tracking projects with an estimated cost of about Rs 10,021 crore, aimed at expanding capacity across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
The projects, which are planned to be completed by 2029-30, will add around 540 km to the existing Indian Railways network and cover 17 districts across the four states, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced.
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These projects include:
- Arakkonam – Renigunta 3rd and 4th Line – 77 kms
- Whitefield – Bangarapet 3rd and 4th Line – 47 kms
- Hosur – Omalur Doubling – 147 kms
- Salem – Karur – Dindigul Doubling – 159 kms
- Multitracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) – Kazipet – 110 kms
The capacity expansion is aimed at easing congestion, improving train movement and enhancing operational efficiency and service reliability on key passenger and freight corridors, the government said.
The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on improving multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated infrastructure planning.
According to the government, the projects will improve rail connectivity to around 2,121 villages with a combined population of about 52 lakh.
The expanded rail network is also expected to improve access to key tourist and religious destinations across southern India, including Tirupati, the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruttani, Sri Padmavati Ammavaari Temple in Tiruchanur, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogenakkal Falls, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills and Yadagirigutta Temple, among others.
The approved corridors are important for the movement of commodities including coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, foodgrains, petroleum products and fertilisers. The capacity augmentation is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of around 47 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The government said the projects would also support efforts to reduce the country's logistics costs and environmental footprint by shifting more freight movement to rail.
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The additional capacity is expected to reduce oil imports by around 8 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by about 42 crore kg, equivalent to the plantation of around 2 crore trees.
The five projects form part of a broader push by the government to expand railway infrastructure, remove bottlenecks on high-density routes and build additional capacity to support rising passenger and freight traffic.
