Union Cabinet Clears Rs 3,907-Crore Rail Expansion Projects in Odisha, Jharkhand

Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to railway infrastructure in eastern India, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved two key rail expansion projects worth Rs 3,907 crore in Odisha and Jharkhand. The projects are expected to significantly improve rail capacity, ease congestion on busy routes, and strengthen freight transportation in the region.

The approval was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sanctioned projects include the doubling of the Paradip–Haridaspur railway line and the construction of a fourth rail line between Rajkharsawan and Dangoaposi. Together, they will add nearly 145 km of rail infrastructure to the Indian Railways network.

The projects have been taken up under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated infrastructure development and seamless multimodal connectivity across the country.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the expansion will enhance operational efficiency by increasing line capacity, reducing congestion on high-density corridors, and ensuring smoother movement of both passenger and freight trains.

The railway projects will cover four districts across Odisha and Jharkhand, benefiting nearly 1,526 villages with a combined population of around 14 lakh. Apart from improving connectivity, the projects are expected to generate substantial employment opportunities during the construction phase while giving a boost to local economic activities.

The upgraded rail network is also expected to improve access to several prominent tourist destinations, including the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple, and the scenic Meghahatuburu Hills, making travel more convenient for visitors.

Both the Paradip–Haridaspur and Rajkharsawan–Dangoaposi routes are crucial freight corridors used for transporting minerals and bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone, and gypsum. With the additional rail capacity, Indian Railways is expected to handle nearly 44 million tonnes of additional freight annually, strengthening the country’s logistics network.

The Centre also highlighted the environmental benefits of the projects, stating that enhanced rail capacity will encourage a shift from road to rail transport, leading to lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions. The projects are estimated to save around 6 crore litres of fuel imports every year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 29 crore kg annually, an environmental impact comparable to planting about one crore trees.

The latest approval reflects the Centre’s continued emphasis on modernising railway infrastructure, improving connectivity, lowering logistics costs, and supporting industrial and economic growth across mineral-rich regions of eastern India.