India reviews key railway projects to boost multimodal connectivity

India’s Network Planning Group (NPG), under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, evaluated three major railway projects on Friday with a focus on improving multimodal connectivity, logistics efficiency and last-mile links to economic and social centres. The 103rd NPG meeting reviewed proposals from the Ministry of Railways to ensure they align with PM GatiShakti’s integrated planning approach and deliver socio-economic benefits to their regions.

The meeting examined three rail projects that aim to cut travel time, support freight movement and strengthen infrastructure through better coordination among government agencies. The projects are expected to improve logistics efficiency and offer smoother connections to industries and communities.

The first project proposes doubling the Barbenda–Damrughutu section and adding a third and fourth line between Damrughutu and Bokaro across West Bengal and Jharkhand. The 51.761-km corridor under South Eastern Railway will get major upgrades, including new bridges, Road Under Bridges and extended level crossings. This route serves key industrial hubs such as Bokaro Steel Plant, Tata Steel, Dalmia Cement and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation. The expansion will improve freight mobility, reduce congestion and support industrial growth by making the BBDA–DRGU–BKSC corridor more reliable.

The second project covers the construction of the Jamalpur–Munger Sabdalpur double line, along with a new bridge over the River Ganga and the Jamalpur avoiding line in Bihar. The 15-km project, planned for completion by July 2030, will connect densely populated parts of Munger and Begusarai while strengthening links between North Bihar and southeastern parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. The alignment will improve access to major industrial centres, including ITC’s units, Sitakund Industrial Area, the Ordnance Gun Factory, Jamalpur Railway Workshop, Bhagalpur Mega Handloom Cluster, Kahalgaon and Barauni thermal plants, Barauni Refinery, Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan, and the Kanti Thermal Power Plant. The project will support faster and safer movement, lower transport costs, enhance industrial competitiveness and create direct and indirect jobs.

The third proposal focuses on constructing a fourth line between Santragachi, Panskura and Kharagpur in West Bengal. This heavily used corridor carries large volumes of freight and around 115 coaching trains daily. The new 110.919-km line, with a total track length of 133.781 km, will pass through Howrah, East Medinipur and West Medinipur. It includes upgrades across 30 station yards and the construction of major and minor bridges and 12 Road Under Bridges. With freight volumes expected to rise from 20.37 MTPA in Year 1 to 28.12 MTPA by Year 11, the fourth line will help ease congestion and ensure smoother movement of goods and passengers across this key corridor.