India’s national rail grid is set for a significant capacity boost as the Union Cabinet on May 28, 2025, approved two key multi-tracking railway projects under the ambitious PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
With a sanctioned investment of ₹3,399 crore, the third and fourth lines on the Ratlam–Nagda section in Madhya Pradesh and the fourth line on the Wardha–Balharshah corridor in Maharashtra are expected to reshape freight efficiency across the country’s most vital economic corridors.The projects, spanning approximately 176 kilometres across four districts in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, are part of the government’s broader push for integrated, climate-aligned transport infrastructure. By enabling smoother passage for both passenger and freight trains, the multi-tracking will significantly reduce congestion on the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai freight routes—backbones of India’s trade and logistics economy.
The decision, taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflects a dual intent: to modernise India’s core infrastructure and to ensure it aligns with sustainable development goals. Once completed by 2029–30, the projects are expected to benefit over 19.74 lakh people across 784 villages by improving access, mobility, and regional economic opportunities.Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the initiative will strengthen the logistical backbone of the country and unlock capacity bottlenecks in critical industrial zones. According to projections, the upgraded lines will handle an additional 18.40 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in freight movement, primarily coal, cement, fly ash, petroleum, agricultural produce, and containerised goods.
Strategically, this is expected to bring down logistics costs, a long-standing issue for Indian industry, while also reinforcing the Modi government’s thrust on multimodal connectivity. Equally significant are the environmental dividends: Indian Railways estimates the projects will help save 20 crore litres of diesel annually, cutting carbon emissions by 99 crore kilograms—an environmental benefit equal to planting four crore trees.For India, where over 60 percent of freight currently moves by road, this shift to rail-based logistics presents not just a cleaner alternative, but a more cost-effective and timely one. The Gati Shakti framework’s emphasis on synchronised planning across ministries has helped fast-track such investments by cutting through bureaucratic delays and ensuring convergence in infrastructure delivery.
During construction, the two projects will generate an estimated 74 lakh human-days of employment, providing a socio-economic lifeline to local communities. Additionally, enhanced track capacity will allow for better punctuality, higher speeds, and seamless passenger experience across the electrified corridors, thereby improving service reliability.These multi-tracking ventures form part of a broader ₹4.5 lakh crore pipeline of transport infrastructure projects greenlit during the Modi government’s third term. But beyond fiscal numbers, what stands out is a narrative of nation-building—one rooted in the principles of equity, energy efficiency, and inclusive growth.
With the Gati Shakti platform driving alignment between economic priorities and sustainability imperatives, these latest rail expansions reaffirm India’s vision of a cleaner, faster, and more connected future.
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