New Delhi, February 14, 2026 — In a major push toward strengthening India’s logistics and passenger rail infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three massive multi-tracking projects for the Ministry of Railways. With an estimated total cost of ₹18,509 crore, these projects are set to transform rail connectivity across 12 districts in four states: Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Expanding the National Network
The approved projects will add approximately 389 kilometers to the existing Indian Railways network and are expected to be completed by the 2030-31 fiscal year. The specific routes identified for the construction of 3rd and 4th lines include:
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Kasara – Manmad (Maharashtra): A 131 km stretch costing ₹10,154 crore, critical for the Mumbai–Howrah high-density route.
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Delhi – Ambala (Delhi & Haryana): A 194 km expansion costing ₹5,983 crore to ease congestion on one of North India’s busiest corridors.
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Ballari – Hosapete (Karnataka): A 65 km project costing ₹2,372 crore, strengthening connectivity in a vital mineral-rich industrial belt.
Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact
These initiatives are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on integrated planning to enhance multi-modal connectivity and reduce logistic costs. Beyond improving travel convenience for an estimated population of 97 lakhs across 3,902 villages, the projects carry significant benefits:
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Employment Generation: The construction phase alone is projected to generate roughly 265 lakh human-days of direct employment.
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Operational Efficiency: The increased line capacity will enable additional freight traffic of approximately 96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), covering essential commodities like coal, steel, iron ore, and food grains.
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Sustainability: By streamlining rail operations, the initiative aims to reduce oil imports by 22 crore litres and decrease CO2 emissions by 111 crore kg—an environmental impact equivalent to planting four crore trees.
The Ministry highlighted that these projects align with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision by fostering comprehensive regional development. Additionally, the improved connectivity is expected to provide a major boost to prominent tourist destinations, including the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, the Hampi UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi route. This marks one of the final major decisions announced from the South Block before the government shifts its top administrative operations to the new Seva Teerth complex.
