The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Tuesday approved four major railway projects worth ₹24,634 crore under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. These projects will expand the Indian Railways network by approximately 894 kilometres across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.
The projects are expected to benefit around 3,633 villages, impacting a population of 8.584 million people, including the aspirational districts of Vidisha and Rajnandgaon. According to the CCEA, the initiative focuses on multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency, providing smoother movement of people, goods, and services through integrated planning and coordination with stakeholders.
Project Details
The four projects include:
- Wardha–Bhusawal (3rd and 4th line) – 314 km (Maharashtra)
- Gondia–Dongargarh (4th line) – 84 km (Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh)
- Vadodara–Ratlam (3rd and 4th line) – 259 km (Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh)
- Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina (4th line) – 237 km (Madhya Pradesh)
These routes will not only enhance freight and passenger connectivity but also boost tourism, linking popular destinations like Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka rock shelters, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The projects are projected to support the transportation of commodities including coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grains, and steel. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate an additional 78 million tonnes of freight traffic annually.
The CCEA highlighted the environmental impact, noting that the projects will reduce logistics costs, cut oil imports by 280 million litres, and lower CO2 emissions by 1.39 billion kilograms, which is equivalent to planting 60 million trees. The emphasis on energy-efficient transport aligns with India’s broader climate goals while strengthening the rail network for economic growth.These railway projects are part of the government’s ongoing push to enhance national infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable transport, reflecting the objectives of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
