The Central Government has brought good news for railway passengers in Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. On February 24, 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the green signal to three major railway projects. These projects will cost around ₹9,072 crore and will add roughly 307 kilometers to the existing rail network to ease congestion.
Details of the approved railway projects
The Cabinet has approved multi-tracking for three specific routes to manage traffic better. The largest project is the Gondia-Jabalpur doubling line, which connects Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with a budget of ₹5,236 crore. For Bihar, the government approved the Punarakh-Kiul third and fourth line at a cost of ₹2,668 crore to increase train speed. In Jharkhand, the Gamharia-Chandil third and fourth line was approved with an allocation of ₹1,168 crore to help with industrial transport.
Benefits for passengers and local areas
These projects are designed under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve connectivity across the regions. Once completed by the 2030-31 deadline, these lines will serve about 5,407 villages and a population of roughly 98 lakh. The new tracks will make it easier for tourists to reach places like Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. Additionally, the movement of essential goods like coal, steel, and cement will become faster and more efficient.
