On 16th August 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs of India (CCEA) approved seven railway projects worth €3.6 billion (INR 325 billion). The projects are to be implemented in 35 districts in nine states and will add 2,339 km to the existing railway network. They include track-doubling of the Gorakhpur – Cantt – Valmiki Nagar, Mudkhed – Medchal, Mahbubnagar – Dhone, Chopan – Chunar lines, as well as the construction of multiple tracks on the Son Nagar – Andal line, the quadrupling of tracks on the Samakhiali – Gandhidham line, and the construction of a third track on the Nergundi – Barang and Khurda Road – Vizianagaram lines. These projects affect important rail freight transport corridors and are expected to result in additional freight volumes of around 200 million t per year.
