The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in India has cleared two multi-tracking railway projects totalling 318 kilometres across the states of Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The combined estimated cost is INR 6,405 crore, which is approximately EUR 712 million.
Projects breakdown
The first initiative involves the doubling of the Koderma–Barkakana line in Jharkhand. This 133 km section lies in a coal-rich region and provides the shortest rail link between Patna and Ranchi.
The second project focuses on doubling the Ballari–Chikjajur section, covering 185 km and running through Ballari and Chitradurga districts in Karnataka and the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.
Infrastructure and network impact
According to the government's figures, the new tracks will extend the national railway network by 318 km and improve connectivity to around 1,408 villages, collectively home to an estimated 2.819 million people.
The government expects the upgraded infrastructure to handle an additional 49 million tonnes of freight annually (MTPA), especially from sectors reliant on heavy bulk logistics.
Energy and employment projections
The Ministry of Railways estimates the projects could reduce oil imports by 520 million liters and lower CO₂ emissions by 2.64 billion kilograms. These figures are presented as equivalent to the environmental impact of planting approximately 110 million trees.
During the construction phase, the projects are expected to generate around 10.8 million human-days of employment.
The projects are being implemented under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan framework, which focuses on multimodal and integrated connectivity.
