Union Cabinet approves 4 railway projects covering 18 Districts in four States

The projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 894 km and help in providing seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services, an official statement said.

The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved four major new railway projects that will cost about ₹24,634 crore. These projects involve adding third and fourth lines to existing tracks across 18 districts in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. This massive effort will extend the Indian Railways network by roughly 894 kilometers. The main goal is to make travel much smoother for both passengers and cargo, helping to move people, goods, and services more easily across the region. The projects include new lines between Wardha and Bhusawal, Gondia and Dongargarh, Vadodara and Ratlam, and Itarsi, Bhopal, and Bina.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that these new lines are necessary to reduce traffic jams on the existing network and will greatly improve the railway’s ability to run on time and be more reliable. He mentioned that this expansion will connect over 3,600 villages, impacting millions of people, and will also help connect two specific developing regions (Vidisha and Rajnandgaon). Importantly, the projects will boost the economy by improving the transport of goods like coal and cement, while also increasing tourism by connecting famous spots like Sanchi and national parks. The government also noted that using more railways, which are environmentally friendly, will help lower fuel imports and reduce carbon pollution.