The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two railway infrastructure projects worth around ₹4,474 crore aimed at boosting rail capacity and improving connectivity in eastern India. The projects, proposed by the Ministry of Railways, focus on expanding rail lines in parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
The approved projects include the construction of a fourth railway line on the Sainthia–Pakur route and another fourth line between Santragachi and Kharagpur. Officials say the expansion will help increase line capacity, improve train movement, and enhance operational efficiency across the network.
“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion.”
Rail expansion to strengthen connectivity in eastern India
According to the government, the projects align with the Prime Minister’s broader infrastructure vision for the country and are intended to support regional development by improving transport networks and economic opportunities.
“The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.”
The railway expansion projects will be implemented under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to improve multimodal connectivity through integrated planning across different sectors.
“The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.”
Projects expected to boost freight movement
Officials said the two rail projects will cover five districts across West Bengal and Jharkhand and will expand the existing railway network by about 192 kilometres.
“The 02 (Two) projects covering 05 Districts across the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 192 Kms.”
The new rail lines are expected to improve connectivity for thousands of villages in the region and facilitate better movement of passengers and goods.
“The approved multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 5,652 villages, which are having a population of about 147 lakhs.”
In addition to passenger movement, the projects are expected to strengthen freight transportation for commodities such as coal, cement, steel, and food grains.
“The approved projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, foodgrains, POL, container, etc.”
Authorities said the additional capacity could enable freight traffic of around 31 million tonnes per annum while also contributing to environmental goals by reducing road transport dependence.
“The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 31 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (06 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (28 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 01 (One) Crore trees.”