Railway Multi-Tracking Projects

Why in News?

Recently, The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved 3 multi‑tracking projects for Ministry of Railways.

• Aim – To increase line capacity to enhance mobility, streamline operations, relieve congestion, and improve service reliability for Indian Railways.
• Policy Linkage – PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Atmanirbhar and Vision of New India.

Lanes - The term ‘3rd & 4th Line’ refers to construction of additional tracks parallel to existing ones. In India, high‑traffic corridors generally operate on a double line system — one track for down‑traffic and one for up‑traffic.

Features

• States Covered – Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan (RJ), Uttar Pradesh (UP), Karnataka (KA), Andhra Pradesh (AP), Telangana (TS).
• Districts covered – 19
• Villages Benefitted – Connectivity to 4,161 villages with a population of 83 lakh.
• Key Commodity Corridors – Essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, Petroleum Oil & Lubricants (POL), iron and steel, iron ore, container, fertilizers.
• Freight Capacity – Additional 60 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
• CO₂ emissions reduction– 185 crore kgs equivalent to plantation of 7 crore trees.
• Oil Imports – Reduced by 37 Crore Litres.
  • This would Supports India’s climate goals by minimizing the country's logistics cost through energy-efficient transportation.

References

1. PIB | Rail multi tracking project
2. Business Standard |Rail multi tracking project