Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressing the media about Cabinet decisions at the National Media Center in New Delhi on February 14, 2026. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three projects of the Railway Ministry at a cost of around ₹18,509 crore.
These projects include the construction of the third and fourth lines between Kasara-Manmad, Delhi-Ambala and Ballari-Hosapete.
“Increased track capacity will significantly enhance mobility, leading to improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways,” the government said in a statement on Saturday (February 14, 2026).
“These multi-tracked proposals are poised to streamline operations and ease congestion. The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India that will make the people of the region ‘Atmanirbhar’ through comprehensive development that will enhance employment and self-employment opportunities,” he added.
According to the statement, the projects are planned under the National Master Plan PM-Gati Shakti with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultation.
These projects will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services.
The statement, which provides details on the growth of the Indian Railways network, said the three projects, which cover 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, will add about 389 kilometers to the existing rail network.
“The proposed multi-route projects will enhance the connectivity of about 3,902 villages with a total population of about 97 million,” the company said.
“The proposed capacity increase will improve rail connectivity to several leading tourist destinations across the country including Bhavli Dam, Shri Ghatandevi, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra, Srinagar and major attractions like Hampi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ballari Fort, Daroji Slothda, Tungdra Bear and Kenchanga. Vijaya Vittala Temple, among others,” he added.
A statement outlining the commercial gains for the railways said: “The proposed projects are on core routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone/bauxite, containers, food grains, sugar, fertilizers and POL, among others. The capacity enhancement works will lead to additional freight traffic of 96 MTPA per million tonnes.” “As an ecological and energy-efficient mode of transport, railways will help achieve climate goals, minimize the country’s logistics costs, reduce oil imports (by 22 million liters) and reduce CO2 emissions (by 111 million kilograms), which is equivalent to planting four million trees,” he added.
Published – 14 Feb 2026 14:06 IST