Cabinet Gives Nod to Rail Expansion Projects in Odisha and Jharkhand.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved two railway multitracking projects with a combined estimated cost of around ₹3,907 crore.

The approved projects include doubling of the Paradeep-Haridaspur railway section and construction of a fourth railway line on the Rajkharsawan-Dangoaposi section.

The projects, spread across four districts in Odisha and Jharkhand, will add around 145 kilometres to the Indian Railways network and are aimed at improving line capacity, easing congestion and enhancing operational efficiency.

“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways,” the government said in a press note, adding that the projects will help streamline train operations and reduce bottlenecks.

The initiatives have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on integrated infrastructure planning, multimodal connectivity and improved logistics efficiency through stakeholder consultations.

According to the Centre, the projects will improve connectivity for around 1,526 villages with a combined population of nearly 14 lakh people.

The government said the upgraded rail infrastructure will also support tourism by improving access to destinations such as the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple and Meghahatuburu Hills.

The routes are also important for freight movement of key commodities including coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone and gypsum. The capacity augmentation is expected to enable additional freight traffic of around 44 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the government said.