Indian Railways Expands by 224 km in Maharashtra & Gujarat: Cabinet Approves INR 2781 Crore Multitrack Projects

Officials highlighted that by enabling smoother movement of people, goods, and services, the projects will contribute to India's broader vision of a “New India”, increasing employment and self-employment opportunities in these regions.File Photo.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved two major multitracking projects by the Ministry of Railways. The total investment is INR 2781 crore. These projects are going to cover four districts in Maharashtra and Gujarat. These projects are to expand the Indian Railways network by about 224 kilometres to increase both passenger and freight mobility.

The Devbhoomi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus doubling is the first project. It spans 141 kilometres, and its focus is on increasing connectivity in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. It will improve access to the Dwarkadhish temple and is likely to boost pilgrimage tourism and promote all-round development of this region. The second project is the Badlapur–Karjat 3rd and 4th line. It will cover 32 kilometres. It forms part of the vital Mumbai suburban corridor and meets growing passenger demand while increasing connectivity to Southern India.

According to the Ministry of Railways, these initiatives will likely increase operational efficiency and service reliability. They are expected to streamline train operations, reduce congestion, and improve connectivity for approximately 585 villages to benefit an estimated population of 3.2 million people.

These initiatives are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The focus of these initiatives is on integrated planning to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency. Officials highlighted that by enabling smoother movement of people, goods, and services, the projects will contribute to India’s broader vision of a “New India”, increasing employment and self-employment opportunities in these regions.

Beyond passenger convenience, the projects are expected to boost freight transport capacity by an additional 18 million tonnes per annum. As railways are an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, the initiative is likely to reduce oil imports by 3 crore litres and cut Carbon Dioxide emissions by 16 crore kilograms; that is equivalent to planting 64 lakh trees, eventually supporting India’s climate goals while lowering logistics costs.

This ambitious infrastructure push highlights the government’s commitment towards the betterment and modernisation of the Indian Railways, with a focus on regional development and integrated, sustainable, future-ready transport solutions. By integrating economic, social, and environmental benefits, these multitracking projects are going to make a tangible impact on millions of lives across Maharashtra and Gujarat.