Cabinet approves four railway multitracking projects worth ₹24,634 crore adding about 894 km in Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh
On 7 October 2025 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four railway multitracking projects costing about ₹24,634 crore, adding about 894 km across 18 districts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh by 2030-31.
Summary
On 7 October 2025 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved four Ministry of Railways projects costing about ₹24,634 crore, to be completed by 2030-31: Wardha–Bhusawal 3rd & 4th line (314 km, Maharashtra), Gondia–Dongargarh 4th line (84 km, Maharashtra & Chhattisgarh), Vadodara–Ratlam 3rd & 4th line (259 km, Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh) and Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina 4th line (237 km, Madhya Pradesh). Covering 18 districts, they will add about 894 km to the Indian Railways network and improve connectivity to about 3,633 villages with a population of about 85.84 lakh, including two Aspirational Districts — Vidisha and Rajnandgaon. Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects serve destinations such as Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, the Bhimbetka rock shelters, Hazara falls and Nawegaon National Park, and will create about 78 MTPA of additional freight capacity.
Key facts
- Cost
- ~₹24,634 crore; completion by 2030-31
- Network
- ~894 km added; 18 districts in 4 states
- Longest
- Wardha–Bhusawal 3rd & 4th line — 314 km
- Others
- Vadodara–Ratlam 259 km; Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina 237 km; Gondia–Dongargarh 84 km
- Reach
- ~3,633 villages, ~85.84 lakh people; Aspirational Districts Vidisha, Rajnandgaon
- Freight
- +78 MTPA; PM-Gati Shakti NMP
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The four railway multitracking projects approved by the Cabinet on 7 October 2025 will add about how many km to the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: B — 894 km
PIB: the four projects covering 18 districts will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 894 km.
Consider the following statements about the railway multitracking projects approved on 7 October 2025: 1. They improve connectivity to two Aspirational Districts — Vidisha and Rajnandgaon. 2. They are to be completed by 2028-29. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: the projects enhance connectivity to about 3,633 villages and two Aspirational Districts (Vidisha and Rajnandgaon); they are to be completed by 2030-31.
Which is the longest of the four railway multitracking projects approved by the Cabinet on 7 October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Wardha–Bhusawal 3rd & 4th line
PIB: Wardha–Bhusawal 3rd & 4th line is 314 km; Vadodara–Ratlam 259 km, Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina 237 km and Gondia–Dongargarh 84 km.