Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), has recently approved two significant multi-tracking railway projects aimed at accelerating passenger and freight movement across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
These initiatives, which form a crucial part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, promise to enhance connectivity, boost economic corridors, and further the country’s commitment towards sustainable and efficient transport infrastructure. Covering an extension of approximately 176 kilometres, the projects focus on the addition of a third and fourth railway line between Ratlam and Nagda, and a fourth line between Wardha and Balharshah. These routes traverse four key districts, enabling better rail access to nearly 784 villages with a combined population close to 19.74 lakh. Officials highlight the integrated planning behind these developments, which are designed to ensure seamless movement of people, goods, and services, underpinning the government’s vision for multimodal connectivity.
The newly sanctioned projects align with critical economic corridors connecting Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai, essential for alleviating traffic bottlenecks on heavily utilized routes. Experts from the rail ministry emphasise the infrastructural upliftment these projects will bring, which is expected to translate into more efficient freight transportation and faster passenger travel. Since 2019, infrastructure projects worth over ₹4.5 lakh crore have been sanctioned in the transport sector, reinforcing the government’s long-term focus on modernising India’s logistics backbone. These routes play a pivotal role in the transportation of vital commodities such as coal, cement, clinker, gypsum, fly ash, agricultural produce, petroleum products, and containers. Capacity enhancements will enable an additional freight throughput of around 18.40 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), a considerable augmentation that supports growing industrial and commercial demands.
From an environmental perspective, the emphasis on railways as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport cannot be overstated. These projects contribute directly to India’s climate goals by significantly reducing carbon emissions. Official estimates suggest that the expected operational improvements will curtail oil imports by 20 crore litres annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 99 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting four crore trees. This translates into not only a greener transport ecosystem but also lowered logistics costs, benefiting the economy at large. Labour and employment experts also point to the substantial job creation prospects from these projects. The construction phase alone is projected to generate around 74 lakh human-days of employment, highlighting the social impact alongside the infrastructural benefits. Enhanced rail infrastructure, in turn, promises improved operational efficiency and greater service reliability, boosting public confidence in rail travel.
Moreover, the augmentation of rail line capacity is expected to streamline operations, easing congestion that has long challenged these vital routes. Industry analysts predict that the increased mobility will optimise supply chains, accelerate economic growth, and make logistics more predictable and cost-effective for businesses. While the projects embody strong economic and environmental gains, they also represent a strategic effort to develop gender-neutral and equitable transport infrastructure. By connecting remote villages and improving access to urban centres, the multi-tracking projects facilitate inclusive growth and greater mobility for diverse population segments, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable urbanisation.
Looking ahead, the successful implementation of these projects will set a precedent for future infrastructure initiatives under the PM-Gati Shakti framework. By integrating multimodal transport networks, the government aims to create resilient and smart transport corridors that underpin India’s evolving economy and environmental responsibilities.
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