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The Union Cabinet has approved railway expansion projects worth INR 24,815 crore to improve capacity in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The projects involve adding around 601 km of railway lines through multi-tracking on two busy corridors. These routes are currently operating beyond capacity, affecting both freight and passenger movement. The expansion is expected to ease congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and support industrial activity. Executed under the PM Gati Shakti plan, the projects are targeted for completion by 2030–31 and are expected to generate employment and improve regional connectivity.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two railway multitracking projects with a total investment of INR 24,815 crore. The projects are aimed at increasing line capacity on high-density routes in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, where traffic levels have been consistently high. Advertisement
The approved works include adding third and fourth railway lines across a total stretch of around 601 km. This covers the 403 km Ghaziabad–Sitapur section in Uttar Pradesh and the 198 km Nidadavolu–Duvvada section in Andhra Pradesh. These routes are part of key national rail corridors that handle both long-distance passenger trains and heavy freight movement.
The Ghaziabad–Sitapur route lies on the Delhi–Guwahati corridor, which is one of the most congested rail networks in the country. Railway officials indicated that the route is currently operating at about 168 per cent of its capacity, leading to delays and limited scope for additional trains. The addition of extra lines is expected to ease this pressure and improve overall train movement across cities such as Ghaziabad, Moradabad and Bareilly.
The Nidadavolu–Duvvada section is part of the Howrah–Chennai main line, which is important for freight movement along the eastern coast. This corridor plays a key role in connecting ports and industrial clusters. The expansion is expected to improve the movement of bulk commodities such as coal, cement, steel, fertilisers and foodgrains, while also strengthening port connectivity in Andhra Pradesh.
These projects will be implemented under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on coordinated infrastructure development. The government stated that the increased capacity will help reduce transit time, improve reliability of train services, and lower logistics costs for industries dependent on rail transport.
The expansion is also expected to support additional freight loading of over 64 million tonnes annually. Along with operational benefits, the construction activity is likely to generate employment and support local economies in the regions covered by the projects. Improved connectivity is also expected to benefit passenger travel, including access to important commercial, cultural and religious centres.
Environmental benefits have also been highlighted, with the shift towards rail expected to reduce dependence on road transport. Officials indicated that the projects could help lower carbon emissions significantly, with savings comparable to planting over seven crore trees.
The projects are planned for completion by 2030–31. They form part of a broader strategy by the government to strengthen rail infrastructure through capacity expansion on existing high-traffic routes. Similar multitracking projects have been approved in recent years to address congestion and improve freight efficiency across the network.
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