New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two major railway infrastructure projects to be built with a combined investment of approximately ₹2,781 crore.
The projects include doubling of the Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha) - Kanalus line spanning 141 km, and the construction of the third and fourth lines between Badlapur and Karjat over a 32 km stretch. Both initiatives aim to significantly strengthen rail connectivity and enhance operational efficiency across key regions of Maharashtra and Gujarat. These multi-tracking developments are expected to decongest the existing railway network, improve mobility, and ensure more reliable and faster transportation services for both passengers and freight.
Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects prioritize integrated multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency through coordinated planning with multiple stakeholders.
Once completed, the two projects will expand the Indian Railways network by about 224 km and improve connectivity to nearly 585 villages with a population of around 32 lakh.
The Okha-Kanalus doubling will provide improved access to the revered Dwarkadhish Temple and accelerate the overall development of the Saurashtra region. Meanwhile, the Badlapur-Karjat line, part of the Mumbai suburban corridor, will address growing passenger demand and strengthen rail linkage between Mumbai and Southern India.
The capacity augmentation is expected to support an additional freight load of 18 million tonnes per annum and play an important role in reducing logistics costs, cutting oil imports by three crore litres, and lowering CO₂ emissions by 16 crore kg (equivalent to planting 64 lakh trees).