New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has sanctioned three railway multitracking projects worth approximately ₹18,509 crore, aimed at expanding network capacity, improving service reliability and supporting sustainable freight movement across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Key corridors to gain additional lines

The approved works include:

• Kasara–Manmad 3rd & 4th lines

• Delhi–Ambala 3rd & 4th lines

• Ballari–Hosapete 3rd & 4th lines

Together, the projects will extend the Indian Railways network by about 389 km and are targeted for completion by 2030–31.

Mobility, freight and regional connectivity gains

Capacity augmentation on these high-density routes will:

• Decongest existing tracks and improve punctuality

• Enable smoother passenger and freight operations

• Enhance connectivity to nearly 3,902 villages serving around 97 lakh people

• Support transport of bulk commodities such as coal, steel, cement, fertilizers and foodgrains

• Add an estimated 96 million tonnes per annum of freight handling capacity

Tourist access will also improve to destinations including Trimbakeshwar, Vaishno Devi, Hampi, Tungabhadra Dam and Ballari Fort.

Employment and environmental benefits

Construction activity is expected to create about 265 lakh human-days of direct employment.
By shifting freight to rail—an energy-efficient mode—the projects will:

• Reduce oil imports by about 22 crore litres

• Cut CO₂ emissions by roughly 111 crore kg

• Deliver environmental benefits comparable to planting four crore trees

Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the multitracking initiative is designed to strengthen multimodal logistics integration and support long-term, low-carbon economic growth.