Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Approves Rs 23,437 Crore Rail Multitracking Projects on May 5, 2026, Covering Rajasthan and Five Other States and Adding About 901 Km to the Network

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved three Ministry of Railways multitracking projects on May 5, 2026, with an estimated cost of Rs 23,437 crore. The approved works are the Nagda-Mathura third and fourth line, the Guntakal-Wadi third and fourth line, and the Burhwal-Sitapur third and fourth line. The projects cover 19 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and will add about 901 km to the existing Indian Railways network. The release is important for Rajasthan because the Nagda-Mathura corridor and the wider capacity enhancement are expected to improve connectivity to destinations such as Ranthambore National Park and Keoladeo National Park. The Cabinet said the projects will enhance mobility and service reliability by easing congestion on essential routes. They are planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with emphasis on multimodal connectivity, logistics efficiency, integrated planning and stakeholder consultation. The projects are also linked to the New India vision because better rail capacity can support comprehensive regional development and improve employment and self-employment opportunities. The multitracking works are expected to enhance connectivity for about 4,161 villages with a population of about 83 lakh. The routes are important for moving coal, foodgrains, cement, petroleum products, iron and steel, iron ore, containers and fertilizers. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of 60 MTPA. As an energy-efficient mode, railways are projected to reduce oil imports by 37 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 185 crore kg, equivalent to planting 7 crore trees.