To enhance mobility and operational efficiency on important lines in eastern India, the two railway multi-tracking projects valued at ₹4,474 crore have been sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Expanding the Indian Railways network by 192 km over five districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand, the projects — Sainthia-Pakur 4th Line and Santragachi-Kharagpur 4th Line — are underway.
Projects are intended to increase rail connection for approximately 5,652 villages, benefiting nearly 1.47 crore people in the region, and they are scheduled to be completed by 2030–31.
The additional lines will also improve access to major tourist destinations such as Bolpur Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple, Tarapith Temple, Patachitra Gram, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rameshwar Kund.
The renovations will increase line capacity, which will improve service reliability and alleviate congestion on major routes, according to officials. In addition, they will fortify the transportation of goods like cement, food grains, gasoline, iron and steel, and goods.
The initiatives are a component of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which seeks to enhance logistical efficiency and multimodal connectivity through coordinated infrastructure development.
The government claims that the expansion will aid in regional economic development, provide jobs, and contribute to India’s climate goals while also lowering logistics costs.
