Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 28: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a major infrastructure push with the approval of two multitracking railway projects—one of which includes the construction of a fourth railway line between Wardha and Balharshah. Spanning 134.52 km, this strategic brownfield project aims to decongest the overburdened Delhi-Chennai High-Density Corridor, which currently operates at 152% capacity.

Designed to run parallel to the existing third line currently under construction, the new line will significantly bolster freight movement for key sectors such as coal, steel, and cement, catalyzing industrial growth in the Vidarbha region. By leveraging existing railway corridors, the project will minimize land acquisition and focus on optimizing traffic at critical choke points in the Wardha and Chandrapur districts.

The upgraded infrastructure promises to enhance connectivity with Nagpur and nearby ports, supported by the construction of robust bridges and upgraded stations. Improved freight efficiency is expected to strengthen supply chains for major establishments including Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station and Ballarpur Paper Mills, thereby supporting broader regional and national economic development.

Alongside the Wardha–Balharshah line, the Cabinet also approved the Ratlam–Nagda 3rd and 4th lines as part of Indian Railways’ expansion strategy. Together, both projects—estimated at Rs 3,399 crore—will be implemented under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Targeted for completion by 2029–30, they cover four districts across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, expanding the railway network by 176 km and enhancing connectivity to 784 villages, impacting nearly 20 lakh people.

These critical routes are expected to handle an additional 18.4 million tonnes of freight annually, especially commodities like coal, cement, and petroleum. From an environmental perspective, the shift to rail will save approximately 20 crore liters of oil and reduce CO2 emissions by 99 crore kg—equivalent to planting 4 crore trees.

Moreover, the construction phase is projected to create around 74 lakh human-days of direct employment, supporting the dual goals of infrastructure modernization and job creation. These developments align with India’s sustainable growth objectives and the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant, economically robust nation.