The Cabinet has approved another major railway-capacity package, this time covering key routes across eastern and central India. Three multitracking projects worth ₹10,783 crore will add about 656 km of network capacity.
The approved routes
- Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi): fourth line.
- Katni–Pendra Road: fourth line.
- Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road: third line.
Why these routes matter
The corridors carry large volumes of coal, cement, iron and steel. Capacity constraints on freight-heavy routes can affect both logistics costs and passenger operations.
The freight angle
The government estimates that the projects could support about 27 million tonnes per annum of additional freight traffic.
The environmental argument
Rail is more energy efficient than road freight for many bulk commodities. The government says shifting additional traffic to rail could reduce oil consumption and lower carbon emissions.
Bottom line
The biggest impact of these projects may not be visible in one dramatic moment. It will be seen over time through reduced congestion, more reliable freight movement and greater railway capacity across a strategically important belt.
Source: Press Information Bureau
