Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line along with two other railway multi-tracking projects at a total estimated cost of Rs 10,783 crore.
The three approved projects are the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line, Katni–Pendra Road 4th Line, and Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd Line.
The Kharagpur–Jharsuguda project is expected to strengthen rail connectivity and increase line capacity along the important route, helping streamline train operations, reduce congestion and improve the reliability of railway services.
Together, the three projects will cover 14 districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and add around 656 km to the existing railway network. The projects will also enhance connectivity to approximately 4,790 villages, with a combined population of around 56 lakh.
The projects are being planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on improving multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations.
The enhanced rail network is also expected to improve connectivity to several important tourist and religious destinations, including Taratarini Temple in Odisha, Shri Kshetra Jagannath Temple near Jharsuguda, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple, among others.
The three routes are also important for the transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel. According to the Railways, the capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The projects are expected to contribute to lower logistics costs and environmental benefits by shifting more freight transportation to rail. The Railways estimates that the projects could help reduce oil imports by around 12 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 62 crore kg, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around 2.48 crore trees.
The government said the projects are in line with the vision of a New India, with improved infrastructure expected to generate greater employment and self-employment opportunities and contribute to the comprehensive development of the regions covered.
