Cabinet approves five railway multitracking projects worth ₹10,021 crore in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana
On 9 September 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved five railway multitracking projects costing about ₹10,021 crore that will add about 540 km to the Indian Railways network across 17 districts in four southern States.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved five Ministry of Railways projects worth about ₹10,021 crore on 9 September 2026. The projects are the Arakkonam–Renigunta 3rd and 4th line (77 km), Whitefield–Bangarapet 3rd and 4th line (47 km), Hosur–Omalur doubling (147 km), Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling (159 km) and multitracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet (110 km). Covering 17 districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, they will add about 540 km to the network, improve connectivity to about 2,121 villages with a population of about 52 lakh, and are planned for completion by 2029-30. The projects were planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan and will improve access to pilgrim centres such as Tirupati.
Key facts
- Approved by
- CCEA, 9 Sep 2026
- Cost
- ~₹10,021 crore; completion by 2029-30
- Network added
- ~540 km; 17 districts
- States
- Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana
- Longest
- Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling — 159 km
- Others
- Arakkonam–Renigunta (77 km), Whitefield–Bangarapet (47 km), Hosur–Omalur (147 km), Ghatkesar–Kazipet (110 km)
- Planning
- PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan
Practice MCQs 4 questions
About how many kilometres will the five railway multitracking projects approved by the Cabinet on 9 September 2026 for four southern States add to the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: B — About 540 km
The five projects in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana will add about 540 km.
Which is the longest of the five railway projects approved by the CCEA on 9 September 2026 for the southern States?
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Correct answer: D — Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling
Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling is 159 km, ahead of Hosur–Omalur (147 km) and Ghatkesar–Kazipet (110 km).
The Whitefield–Bangarapet 3rd and 4th line, approved by the Cabinet in September 2026, lies in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Karnataka
Whitefield and Bangarapet are in Karnataka; the 47 km 3rd and 4th line is one of the five projects.
Consider the following about the five railway projects approved by the CCEA on 9 September 2026: 1. Their total estimated cost is about ₹10,021 crore and they are planned for completion by 2029-30. 2. They were planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The projects cost about ₹10,021 crore, are due by 2029-30 and were planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.