The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) approved eight projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total cost of ₹20,804 crore.
Of the eight projects, there are five multi-tracking projects of the Arakkonam-Renigunta third and fourth lines covering 77 km, Whitefield-Bangarapet third and fourth lines covering 47 km, Hosur-Omalur line doubling spanning 147 km, Salem-Karur-Dindigul doubling covering 159 km, multi-tracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet for 110 km, across the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
The first five projects covering 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana will enhance connectivity to approximately 2,121 villages having a population of about 52 lakhs.
Will help tourist spots
The approved capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Tirupati, Subramaniya Swamy Temple (Tiruttani), Sri Padmavati Ammavaari Temple (Tiruchanur), Kotilingeshwara Devaalaya, Sri Seethi Byraveshwara Swamy Temple, Bangaru Tirupati, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogennakkal Falls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, Namakkal Fort, Kalyana Pasupatheswar Temple, Yadagirigutta Temple, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri, Swarnagiri Temple and so on.
“These projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products, fertilisers, etc.,” an official statement from the Ministry of Railways stated.
The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 47 MTPA (million tonnes per annum).
The other three multi-tracking projects, including Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth Line, Katni-Pendra Road fourth line and Bilaspur (Uslapur)-Pendra Road third line, will span across the States of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The latter three multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to nearly 4,790 villages, which have a population of about 56 lakhs.
The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple (ancient temple near Jharsuguda), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site, Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple, etc.
The proposed three projects are essential routes for the transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 27 MTPA, the official statement by Railways said.
These eight projects will totally increase the existing network of the Indian Railways by 1,196 km. The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
Published – September 09, 2026 06:41 pm IST
