Cabinet approves two multitracking projects across Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) two railway projects covering seven districts in Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with a total cost of ₹6,405 crore.
One of them is the doubling of the 133-km-long Koderma-Barkakana track, which not only passes through a major coal-producing area of Jharkhand but also serves as the shortest and a more efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi.
The second project is the doubling of the 185-km Ballari-Chikjajur track that traverses through Ballari and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
According to the government, the approved multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approximately 1,408 villages, which have a population of about 28.19 lakh.
'These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, finished steel, cement, fertilisers, agricultural commodities, petroleum products, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 49 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum),' it said.
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, a government press note said.
'The projects are in line with Prime Minister 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,' it said.
The Railway Ministry said that the projects are a result of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services.
'The two projects covering seven districts across the states of Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 318 Kms,' the Ministry added.
Talking about their environmental benefits, the Ministry said that the Railways, being an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising the logistics cost of the country, reduce oil imports (52 crore litres) and lower CO 2 emissions (264 crore kg), which is equivalent to the plantation of 11 crore trees.
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