Cabinet approves three railway multitracking projects worth ₹10,783 crore across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
On 9 September 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three railway multitracking projects costing ₹10,783 crore that will add about 656 km across 14 districts in five States.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved three Ministry of Railways projects worth ₹10,783 crore on 9 September 2026: the Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th line, the Katni–Pendra Road 4th line and the Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd line. Covering 14 districts in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the projects will add about 656 km to the network and improve connectivity to about 4,790 villages with a population of about 56 lakh, with completion planned by 2029-30. Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, they will improve rail access to places such as Bandhavgarh and Achanakmar Tiger Reserves and Amarkantak.
Key facts
- Approved by
- CCEA, 9 Sep 2026
- Cost
- ₹10,783 crore; completion by 2029-30
- Network added
- ~656 km; 14 districts
- States
- West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
- Projects
- Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th line; Katni–Pendra Road 4th line; Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road 3rd line
- Villages
- ~4,790; population ~56 lakh
- Tourism
- Bandhavgarh, Achanakmar Tiger Reserves; Amarkantak
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What is the total cost of the three railway multitracking projects for West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh approved on 9 September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,783 crore
The three projects cost ₹10,783 crore; the separate southern package costs about ₹10,021 crore.
Which of the following is NOT among the three railway projects approved on 9 September 2026 for the eastern and central States?
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Correct answer: D — Hosur–Omalur doubling
Hosur–Omalur doubling belongs to the southern package; the other three make up the ₹10,783 crore package.
Consider the following about the three railway projects approved on 9 September 2026 for West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh: 1. They will add about 656 km to the Indian Railways network. 2. They will improve connectivity to Bandhavgarh and Achanakmar Tiger Reserves. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The projects add about 656 km across 14 districts and improve access to Bandhavgarh and Achanakmar Tiger Reserves, among other destinations.