The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved three multitracking rail projects, under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, to facilitate ease in transportation, reduce logistics costs, and achieve climate goals by lowering carbon emissions. The work is expected to be completed in four years at an estimated cost of Rs 79.27 billion. These projects are:
- Manmad-Jalgaon fourth rail line project involves laying a 160 km long fourth railway line from Manmad to Jalgaon in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 25.94 billion.
- Bhusawal-Khandwa third and fourth rail line project involves construction of a 130.5 km long third and fourth rail line from Bhusawal in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra to Burhanpur and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 32.85 billion.
- Prayagraj (Iradatganj)-Manikpur third rail line project involves construction of a 84 km long third line from Prayagraj (Iradatganj) to Manikpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Reportedly, this initiative is expected to increase the freight traffic by 51 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) on these strategic routes which transport commodities such as agriculture products, fertilizer, coal, steel, cement and containers.