'Will boost connectivity, tourism': PM Modi hails Cabinet's decisions on railway, highway projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the Union Cabinet's approval of four railway infrastructure projects and the four-laning of a key national highway stretch in Bihar, saying the projects would strengthen connectivity, improve logistics and give a boost to commerce and tourism.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Modi, approved four multi-tracking projects of the Ministry of Railways at an estimated total cost of about Rs 9,450 crore. The projects are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and are aimed at increasing capacity on important sections of the railway network. Separately, the Cabinet approved the four-laning of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of National Highway-22 in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 3,590.73 crore.

Rail capacity gets boost

Reacting to the decisions, Modi said the railway projects would add significant capacity to the Indian Railways network and benefit lakhs of people across the four states.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the multi-tracking projects would strengthen passenger and freight movement, reduce congestion and improve logistics efficiency.

He said improved railway infrastructure would also support connectivity, commerce and tourism in the regions covered by the projects.

Among the projects approved is the construction of a fourth railway line between Kharagpur in West Bengal and Bhadrak (Ranital) in Odisha. The proposed line will cover about 173 km.

Another fourth line will be constructed between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha, covering approximately 75 km.

The projects form part of the government's efforts to expand capacity on high-density railway corridors where increasing passenger and freight traffic has put pressure on existing infrastructure.

Additional tracks are expected to ease operational bottlenecks by allowing a greater number of passenger and goods trains to use these corridors.

Focus on freight movement

The expansion is also aimed at strengthening freight connectivity across eastern and southern India.

Railways remain central to the movement of bulk commodities and industrial goods, and additional line capacity is expected to improve the efficiency of freight operations while reducing congestion on heavily used sections.

The government has increasingly focused on multi-tracking projects as part of its strategy to improve railway capacity without depending entirely on the construction of new corridors.

The projects approved on Wednesday are expected to strengthen the existing network while improving links between production centres, consumption markets and major transport corridors.

Modi said the investments represented a major boost to railway infrastructure and connectivity across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Bihar highway gets Cabinet nod

The Cabinet also cleared the upgrading of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to four-lane configuration.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 3,590.73 crore, covers an important road corridor in north Bihar and is expected to improve connectivity between Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and Sonbarsa near the India-Nepal border.

Modi described rapid expansion of connectivity as essential for Bihar's overall development and said the highway project could become a “lifeline” for the state.

He said the improved road would reduce travel time while supporting economic activity and tourism.

The Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa corridor also has strategic and economic importance because of its connection with the national freight network and its proximity to the international border.

Trade, tourism set to benefit

Upgrading the highway is expected to provide faster movement of people and goods across north Bihar and improve access to the border region.

Sitamarhi is also an important religious tourism destination associated with Goddess Sita. Improved road connectivity could support increased tourist movement to the region while creating better links with Muzaffarpur and other economic centres.

The project is expected to improve the movement of agricultural produce and other goods from the region by providing better access to larger markets and transport networks.

The two Cabinet decisions together underline the Centre's continuing emphasis on expanding road and railway capacity as part of its infrastructure push.

While the Rs 9,450-crore railway package focuses on increasing network capacity across four states, the Bihar highway project seeks to address road connectivity on an economically and strategically important corridor.

Modi said the projects would ultimately translate into shorter journeys, more efficient logistics and greater opportunities for economic activity in the regions they serve.