Cabinet Approves Two Rail Multitracking Projects Worth Rs 2,781 Cr In Maharashtra, Gujarat

Commuters get off trains at the Church Gate railway station in Mumbai. (AP file photo)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major multitracking projects worth Rs 2,781 crore, aimed at enhancing the railway infrastructure in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The projects, which will add nearly 224 kilometres to the existing network, are expected to improve capacity, mobility, and service efficiency in both states.

The first project involves the doubling of the 141-kilometre Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)-Kanalus line in Gujarat, while the second focuses on constructing the 3rd and 4th lines between Badlapur and Karjat, a 32-kilometre stretch in Maharashtra. These upgrades are designed to ease congestion, improve passenger services, and boost freight movement, according to a press release from the CCEA.

In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a “New India,” the projects are expected to create local employment opportunities and enhance self-reliance in the region. The initiatives are also a part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to strengthen multi-modal connectivity and boost logistics efficiency through better coordination and planning.

Once completed, the projects are expected to benefit approximately 585 villages, impacting the lives of about 32 lakh people. In Gujarat, the doubling of the Kanalus-Okha line will improve access to the Dwarkadhish temple, a major pilgrimage site, and foster development in the Saurashtra region.

In Maharashtra, the Badlapur-Karjat section is a key part of the Mumbai suburban corridor. The additional tracks will help reduce congestion, cater to future passenger demand, and enhance connectivity to southern India. The section is also vital for transporting essential goods, including coal, salt, cement, and petroleum products.

The projects are expected to increase freight capacity by 18 million tonnes annually. Moreover, the Railway Ministry estimates that the expansion will help reduce oil imports by approximately 3 crore litres and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 16 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting 64 lakh trees.

These multitracking projects are part of the Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to promote energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable transport while reducing logistics costs across the country.

(With inputs from agencies)