The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved three major railway projects with a total estimated investment of ₹6,456 crore. These initiatives are designed to significantly enhance logistical efficiency and transportation networks across multiple states, including Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.

The new projects will connect previously unlinked areas, increase existing line capacity and improve overall mobility within the Indian Railways system. This will streamline supply chains, boost economic growth and support the government’s vision of a self-reliant India by creating new job and self-employment opportunities in the affected regions.

The projects are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to integrate planning for multi-modal connectivity and facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods, and services. By extending the railway network by approximately 300 kilometers, the initiatives will include the construction of 14 new stations and provide enhanced connectivity to two Aspirational Districts—Nuapada and East Singhbhum. They will also link around 1,300 villages and benefit approximately 30 lakh people.

In addition to improving regional connectivity, these projects will support the transportation of crucial commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement and limestone. The capacity enhancement is expected to increase freight traffic by 45 million tonnes per annum. Environmentally, the projects will contribute to reducing oil imports by 10 crore liters and lowering CO2 emissions by 240 crore kg, which is comparable to the plantation of 9.7 crore trees.