The proposed projects will improve logistical efficiency by connecting the unconnected areas and enhancing transportation networks, resulting in streamlined supply chains and accelerated economic growth

The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 24,657 crore (approx.) and will be completed upto 2030-31

The projects will also generate direct employment for about Three(3) crore man-days during construction

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved Eight (8) projects of Ministry of Railways with total estimated cost of Rs. 24,657 crore (approx.).

The new line proposals will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’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 projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.

The 8 (Eight) projects covering 14 Districts in Seven States i.e., Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana and West Bengal will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 900 Kms.

With these projects 64 New Stations will be constructed, providing enhancing connectivity to Six(6) Aspirational Districts (East Singhbum, BhadadriKothagudem, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada), approx. 510 villages and about 40 lakh population.

Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site will be connected to Indian Railway Network facilitating large number of tourists.

These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminium powder, granite, ballast, containers etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 143 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 (32.20 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (0.87 MillionTonnes) which is equivalent to plantation of 3.5 crore trees.

S.No.	New Railway Line route	Length of Line (km)	Districts covered	States
1	Gunupur-Therubali (New Line)	73.62	Rayagada	Odisha
2	Junagarh-Nabrangpur	116.21	Kalahandi &Nabrangpur	Odisha
3	Badampahar – Kandujhargarh	82.06	Keonjhar & Mayurbhanj	Odisha
4	Bangriposi – Gorumahisani	85.60	Mayurbhanj	Odisha
5	Malkangiri – Pandurangapuram (via Bhadrachalam)	173.61	Malkangiri, East Godavari & Bhadradri Kothagudem	Odisha, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
6	Buramara – Chakulia	59.96	East Singhbhum, Jhargram&Mayurbnanj	Jharkhand, West Bengal & Odisha
7	Jalna – Jalgaon	174	Aurangabad	Maharashtra
8	Bikramshila – Katareah	26.23	Bhagalpur	Bihar

Cabinet approval of new railway line projects expands connectivity and freight capacity under the national multimodal infrastructure plan. Cabinet approval authorises eight new railway line projects under the national multi modal planning initiative to expand the rail network by approximately nine hundred kilometres, construct new stations, generate direct construction employment, improve service reliability and supply chain efficiency, and achieve reduced logistics costs, lower oil imports and quantified CO2 emission reductions by completion around 2030-31.