SF Prep Notes

CCEA approves four railway multitracking projects worth Rs 18,658 crore in Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four Indian Railways multitracking projects costing about Rs 18,658 crore on 4 April 2025, adding about 1,247 km across 15 districts of Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Summary

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved four Ministry of Railways projects with a total cost of about Rs 18,658 crore on 4 April 2025. Covering 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, they will add about 1,247 km to the network: the Sambalpur-Jarapda 3rd and 4th line, the Jharsuguda-Sason 3rd and 4th line, the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa 5th and 6th line, and the Gondia-Balharshah doubling. The projects, planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan and due by 2030-31, include 19 new stations and improve connectivity to the Aspirational Districts of Gadchiroli and Rajnandgaon. They are expected to carry 88.77 million tonnes per annum of additional freight, cut oil imports by 95 crore litres and CO2 emissions by 477 crore kg, and generate about 379 lakh human-days of employment during construction.

Key facts

Approved
CCEA, 4 April 2025
Cost
About Rs 18,658 crore; completion by 2030-31
Network addition
About 1,247 km; 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
Projects
Sambalpur-Jarapda; Jharsuguda-Sason; Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa; Gondia-Balharshah
Aspirational districts
Gadchiroli and Rajnandgaon; 19 new stations
Extra freight
88.77 MTPA

Practice MCQs 3 questions

Q1

What is the approximate total cost of the four railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA on 4 April 2025?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Rs 18,658 crore

PIB (CCEA): the four projects have a total cost of about Rs 18,658 crore and will be completed up to 2030-31.

Q2 Advanced

The four railway multitracking projects approved on 4 April 2025 cover districts in which three states?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh

PIB (CCEA): the four projects cover 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Q3 Advanced

The railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA on 4 April 2025 will enhance connectivity to which two Aspirational Districts?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Gadchiroli and Rajnandgaon

PIB (CCEA): the projects will enhance connectivity to two Aspirational Districts, Gadchiroli and Rajnandgaon, with 19 new stations.

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