Cabinet approves Koderma–Barkakana and Ballari–Chikjajur rail doubling projects worth ₹6,405 crore
On 11 June 2025 in New Delhi, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two railway doubling projects worth ₹6,405 crore in Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two Ministry of Railways projects with a total cost of ₹6,405 crore on 11 June 2025. The Koderma–Barkakana doubling (133 km) passes through a major coal-producing area of Jharkhand and is the shortest rail link between Patna and Ranchi. The Ballari–Chikjajur doubling (185 km) traverses Ballari and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The projects cover seven districts, will add about 318 km to the network, improve connectivity to about 1,408 villages with a population of about 28.19 lakh, and result from the PM-GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Key facts
- Cost
- ₹6,405 crore (two projects)
- Koderma–Barkakana
- 133 km, Jharkhand; shortest Patna–Ranchi rail link
- Ballari–Chikjajur
- 185 km; Ballari, Chitradurga (Karnataka), Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh)
- Network addition
- ~318 km; 7 districts; ~1,408 villages, ~28.19 lakh people
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Koderma–Barkakana rail doubling project approved by the Cabinet on 11 June 2025 lies in which state?
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Correct answer: B — Jharkhand
PIB (CCEA): the Koderma–Barkakana doubling (133 km) passes through a major coal-producing area of Jharkhand.
Consider the following statements about the railway projects approved by the CCEA on 11 June 2025: 1. The Ballari–Chikjajur doubling traverses districts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. 2. The total cost of the two projects is ₹6,405 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (CCEA): the Ballari–Chikjajur line traverses Ballari and Chitradurga (Karnataka) and Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), and the two projects cost ₹6,405 crore in total. So both 1 and 2 are correct.
According to the Cabinet decision of 11 June 2025, the Koderma–Barkakana section serves as the shortest rail link between which two cities?
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Correct answer: D — Patna and Ranchi
PIB (CCEA): the Koderma–Barkakana section serves as the shortest and more efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi.