Green light for Rs 9,072-crore rail upgrade: 5,400 villages in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand to benefit

Indian Railways is set for another major upgrade, with the Union Cabinet clearing three multi-tracking projects spanning four states and adding about 307 km to the national rail network. The projects, worth an estimated Rs 9,072 crore, aim to ease congestion on key freight and passenger routes while linking thousands of villages more closely to growth centres.

Approved this week by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the proposals cover stretches in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The sanctioned works are: Gondia–Jabalpur doubling; Punarakh–Kiul 3rd and 4th lines; and Gamharia–Chandil 3rd and 4th lines.

Three corridors, eight districts, thousands of villages

Together, these corridors touch around 5,407 villages with a combined population of about 98 lakh people. The Railways ministry expects the added tracks to de-bottleneck movement, improve punctuality and increase the number of trains that can be run safely on these busy routes. All three projects are targeted for completion by 2030–31.

By creating seamless rail links for passengers and freight, the government hopes to stimulate local industries, expand job and self-employment opportunities and advance the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision in these regions.

The new capacity will also improve access to prominent tourist destinations such as Kachnar Shiv Temple and Dhuandhar waterfall in the Jabalpur region, Kanha and Pench national parks, Bargi and Chandil dams, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and several waterfalls and hilltop spots. Better connectivity is expected to benefit hospitality, transport and allied services around these sites.

Freight, climate gains and cost savings

The approved corridors are crucial arteries for moving coal, steel, iron ore, cement, stone chips, fly ash, fertilisers, limestone, manganese, dolomite, foodgrains and petroleum products. With the extra tracks, Railways estimates it can handle additional freight of about 52 million tonnes per year on these routes.

As rail is more energy-efficient and less polluting than road, the capacity upgrade is projected to cut oil imports by nearly 6 crore litres annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 30 crore kg—equated in the release to planting one crore trees. The ministry says these projects will help lower logistics costs while supporting India’s climate commitments.