Indian Railways Approves Record 100 Projects Worth ₹1.53 Lakh Crore to Expand Network
The expansion, aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, reflects a sharp increase over the previous financial year, with project approvals rising by 56 percent, route coverage expanding by over 114 percent, and financial outlay growing by more than 110 percent.
Over 6,000 km expansion marks 114% surge; focus on tribal connectivity, freight corridors and decongestion
New Delhi: Indian Railways has approved a record 100 infrastructure projects in FY 2025–26, involving an investment of ₹1.53 lakh crore and covering over 6,000 km of railway network, marking a significant leap in capacity expansion and connectivity.
The expansion, aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, reflects a sharp increase over the previous financial year, with project approvals rising by 56 percent, route coverage expanding by over 114 percent, and financial outlay growing by more than 110 percent.
The approved projects include new railway lines, doubling and multitracking works, along with bypass lines, flyovers and chord lines. These initiatives are aimed at decongesting saturated routes, improving punctuality, enhancing passenger experience and expanding connectivity to underserved regions.
The projects span nearly all major states, with Maharashtra (17 projects), Bihar (11), Jharkhand (10) and Madhya Pradesh (9) emerging as key focus areas due to their importance in freight movement, industrial connectivity and passenger demand.
A major emphasis has been placed on extending rail connectivity to tribal and remote regions. Projects such as the Rowghat–Jagdalpur line in Chhattisgarh and multiple corridors in Jharkhand and Odisha are expected to improve access to markets, healthcare, education and employment opportunities.
From an investment perspective, over 35 projects exceed ₹1,000 crore, forming the backbone of corridor-level upgrades. Key projects include the Kasara–Manmad third and fourth line, Kharsia–Naya Raipur–Parmalkasa fifth and sixth line, Itarsi–Nagpur fourth line, and Secunderabad–Wadi third and fourth line, together accounting for over ₹28,000 crore.
The expansion is also aligned with the Mission 3000 MT cargo target, focusing on enhancing freight capacity, improving energy security through faster coal movement, and strengthening port connectivity under the Rail Sagar Corridor.
Officials said the projects are expected to generate employment, boost demand in core sectors such as steel and cement, and reduce logistics costs, while significantly improving operational efficiency and service delivery across the rail network.
The large-scale expansion marks a decisive shift towards building a high-capacity, future-ready railway network, positioning Indian Railways as a key driver of economic growth and national integration.
