Cabinet approves four rail multitracking projects worth ₹9,450 crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 19 August 2026 approved four railway multitracking projects worth about ₹9,450 crore, adding about 410 km across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 19 August 2026 approved four Railway Ministry projects costing about ₹9,450 crore, to be completed by 2030-31. They are the Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th line (173 km, West Bengal and Odisha), the Bhadrak-Haridaspur 4th line (75 km, Odisha), the Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines (90 km, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) and the Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th lines (72 km, Odisha). Together they cover eight districts, add about 410 km to the network and improve connectivity for about 6,448 villages with roughly 60 lakh people. The added capacity is expected to carry 76 million tonnes a year of extra freight.
Key facts
- Cost
- About ₹9,450 crore; completion by 2030-31
- Network added
- About 410 km, 8 districts
- Longest
- Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th line, 173 km
- AP-TN project
- Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines, 90 km
- Villages
- About 6,448 (≈60 lakh people)
- Extra freight
- 76 MTPA
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The four railway multitracking projects approved by the Cabinet on 19 August 2026 have what total cost and will add roughly how much to the network?
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Correct answer: D — About ₹9,450 crore; about 410 km
The four projects cost about ₹9,450 crore and will add about 410 km to the Indian Railways network.
Which of the four multitracking projects approved on 19 August 2026 spans Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: B — Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines
The 90-km Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines span Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; the other three are in Odisha or West Bengal-Odisha.
Consider the following statements about the four railway projects approved on 19 August 2026: 1. They will improve connectivity to about 6,448 villages with a population of about 60 lakh. 2. The added capacity is expected to carry about 76 MTPA of additional freight. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The projects cover eight districts and are to be completed by 2030-31.