New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved two railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹4,474 crore that will improve rail connectivity in parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the projects proposed by Indian Railways to increase track capacity and reduce congestion on busy routes.
Key Railway Projects
The approved projects include the Sainthia–Pakur rail line fourth line and the Santragachi–Kharagpur rail line fourth line.
Together, these projects will add about 192 km of additional railway lines across five districts in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Officials expect the work to be completed by 2030–31.
Benefit for Jharkhand Region
The Sainthia–Pakur section will strengthen railway connectivity in eastern Jharkhand, especially around Pakur. The route is important for transporting minerals and industrial goods from the region.
Officials said the project will improve connectivity to more than 5,600 villages with a combined population of around 1.47 crore people.
Boost for Freight and Tourism
The additional railway lines will improve freight movement of key commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, iron and steel, food grains and petroleum products.
Better connectivity will also improve access to major tourist and religious destinations including Bolpur–Shantiniketan, Tarapith Temple, Nandikeshwari Temple, and Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Part of PM Gati Shakti Plan
The projects form part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on improving multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency across the country.
Officials said the expansion will reduce congestion on key routes, improve operational efficiency and support economic development in Jharkhand and neighbouring regions.
