The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved five railway multitracking projects worth Rs 10,021 crore across four southern states. The Ministry of Railways will add approximately 540 kilometres to India’s rail network under these schemes, with completion targeted by 2029-30.
The five projects and what they involve
The approved projects are:
- Arakkonam to Renigunta 3rd and 4th line: 77 km
- Whitefield to Bangarapet 3rd and 4th line: 47 km
- Hosur to Omalur doubling: 147 km
- Salem to Karur to Dindigul doubling: 159 km
- Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) to Kazipet multitracking: 110 km
These projects span 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. They will improve rail capacity by building additional parallel tracks on existing routes, allowing more trains to run simultaneously and reducing bottlenecks.
The expansion will benefit around 2,121 villages with a combined population of approximately 52 lakh people. It will also improve rail access to major tourist sites including Tirupati temples, Kodaikanal Hills, Hoggenakkal Falls and several forts and temples in the region.
In terms of cargo movement, these projects are designed to handle an additional 47 million tonnes per annum of freight traffic. Key commodities expected to move through these routes include coal, cement, steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products and fertilizers.
What this means for you
If you live in or travel through these four states, you can expect faster, more reliable train services with reduced delays as congestion eases. Freight costs for goods moving by rail will decrease, potentially lowering prices for consumers. The projects align with India’s climate goals by promoting rail transport over road, which uses less fuel and produces lower emissions. For people in the 2,121 villages being connected, improved rail access will create employment opportunities and make it easier to reach markets, hospitals and educational institutions.