New Delhi: Jharkhand is set to gain from a major railway infrastructure push after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved three multi-tracking projects worth Rs 10,783 crore covering 14 districts across Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The projects, scheduled for completion by 2029-30, will add around 656 km to the existing Indian Railways network and are expected to improve connectivity, ease congestion and strengthen the movement of freight through key industrial and mineral-producing regions, including Jharkhand.
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 corridor is particularly significant for Jharkhand, linking important industrial and mining areas and facilitating the movement of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel.
According to the government, the capacity augmentation under the projects is expected to support an additional 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic. The enhanced rail capacity is also expected to improve the efficiency of freight movement and reduce pressure on existing routes.
For Jharkhand, which has a major concentration of mineral and industrial activity, stronger rail infrastructure could provide more efficient transportation links for both industries and communities along the corridors. Improved connectivity is also expected to support economic activity and create greater opportunities for employment and self-employment in the project regions.
The Centre said the projects would also deliver environmental benefits by encouraging greater freight movement through the energy-efficient railway network. The projects are estimated to reduce oil consumption by around 12 crore litres and cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 62 crore kg, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting about 2.48 crore trees.
Besides freight movement, the expanded railway network is expected to improve access to several tourist and religious destinations across the project regions. These include Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple near Jharsuguda, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple.
The government said the multi-tracking works would streamline train operations, reduce congestion and improve the overall reliability and efficiency of Indian Railways.
The projects are part of the Centre’s broader infrastructure development strategy under Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’. The government said improved connectivity and comprehensive development in the affected regions would strengthen economic opportunities and contribute to making local communities more self-reliant.
–IANS