CCEA approves ₹4,474-crore fourth lines on Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur sections
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved on 10 March 2026 two railway multitracking projects worth about ₹4,474 crore in West Bengal and Jharkhand, adding about 192 km to the network.
Summary
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved on 10 March 2026 two Railway Ministry projects costing about ₹4,474 crore: the Sainthia–Pakur 4th line and the Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th line. Covering five districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand, they will add about 192 km to the Indian Railways network and are to be completed by 2030–31. Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects will improve connectivity for about 5,652 villages with a population of about 1.47 crore, and for tourist sites such as Bolpur-Shantiniketan and the Tarapith and Nandikeshwari Shaktipeeths.
Key facts
- Date
- 10 March 2026, CCEA
- Projects
- Sainthia–Pakur 4th line; Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th line
- Cost
- ~₹4,474 crore
- Length
- ~192 km; 5 districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand
- Completion
- By 2030–31
- Benefit
- ~5,652 villages, ~1.47 crore people; PM-Gati Shakti planned
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which two railway sections will get a 4th line under the projects approved by the CCEA on 10 March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur
The CCEA approved the Sainthia–Pakur 4th line and the Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th line, worth about ₹4,474 crore.
By about how many kilometres will the two multitracking projects approved on 10 March 2026 increase the Indian Railways network?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 192 km
The two projects across five districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand will add about 192 km to the network.