Cabinet clears five rail multitracking projects worth ₹10,021 crore
On 9 September 2026 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved five Railway multitracking projects costing about ₹10,021 crore. They cover 17 districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, add about 540 km to the network and are planned for completion by 2029-30. They will add freight capacity of 47 million tonnes a year.
- Approved
- 9 Sep 2026, CCEA
- Cost
- about ₹10,021 crore
- Length added
- about 540 km
- Coverage
- 17 districts; TN, AP, Karnataka, Telangana
- Completion
- by 2029-30
- Extra freight
- 47 MTPA
The five rail multitracking projects: what happened?
When a busy line has only one or two tracks, passenger and goods trains wait for each other. Adding a third and fourth line, or doubling a single line, lets more trains run on time. These five projects target such crowded sections in the south.
- CCEA, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved five Ministry of Railways projects at about ₹10,021 crore.
- Arakkonam-Renigunta 3rd and 4th line: 77 km.
- Whitefield-Bangarapet 3rd and 4th line: 47 km.
- Hosur-Omalur doubling: 147 km; Salem-Karur-Dindigul doubling: 159 km.
- Multitracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet: 110 km.
- Planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Which projects were approved?
| Project | Type | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Arakkonam-Renigunta | 3rd and 4th line | 77 |
| Whitefield-Bangarapet | 3rd and 4th line | 47 |
| Hosur-Omalur | doubling | 147 |
| Salem-Karur-Dindigul | doubling | 159 |
| Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet | multitracking | 110 |
PIB, 9 Sep 2026. Total about 540 km.
Which places gain connectivity?
- About 2,121 villages with a population of about 52 lakh.
- Pilgrim and tourist places such as Tirupati, Tiruttani, Tiruchanur, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogennakkal Falls, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, Yadagirigutta and Bhongir Fort.
- Freight on these routes includes coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products and fertilisers.
Which constitutional entry covers railways?
- Seventh Schedule, List I (Union List), Entry 22: Railways.
- So railway projects are decided and funded by the Union; the CCEA approves major investments.
What do the numbers show?
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Additional freight | 47 MTPA |
| Oil import saved | about 8 crore litres |
| CO2 emissions avoided | about 42 crore kg |
| Equal to planting | about 2 crore trees |
| Villages served | about 2,121 (population about 52 lakh) |
How does multitracking help?
- Busy line with limited tracks
- Extra lines or doubling added
- Passenger and freight trains run on separate paths
- Fewer delays, more trains per day
- Freight shifts from road to rail; lower fuel use and emissions
Why does the five rail multitracking projects matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Logistics cost | More rail freight lowers the cost of moving coal, cement and food grains. |
| Climate | Saves about 8 crore litres of oil and about 42 crore kg of CO2. |
| Regional growth | Serves 17 districts and about 2,121 villages. |
| Tourism | Better access to Tirupati and other pilgrim centres. |
| Planning | Built on PM-Gati Shakti for multi-modal links. |
What are the challenges in the five rail multitracking projects?
- Land acquisition and approvals can delay timelines beyond 2029-30.
- Two of the five projects add 3rd and 4th lines next to busy existing tracks, which is harder than building on open ground.
- Work on running lines must be done without disrupting traffic.
- The gains depend on freight actually moving from road to rail.
What should be done next on the five rail multitracking projects?
- Start work and track progress on Gati Shakti.
- Use the new capacity to run more passenger trains on pilgrim routes such as Tirupati.
- Plan terminals and last-mile links so new capacity is used.
- Coordinate with States on land.
What can Prelims ask on the five rail multitracking projects?
- CCEA, 9 September 2026: five multitracking projects, about ₹10,021 crore, about 540 km.
- States: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana.
- Longest: Salem-Karur-Dindigul doubling (159 km).
- Railways: Union List, Entry 22.
How to write about the five rail multitracking projects in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Capacity augmentation on congested rail corridors is key to cutting India’s logistics costs. Discuss with reference to the multitracking projects approved in September 2026.
- Intro: five projects, ₹10,021 crore, 540 km, 2029-30.
- Need: congestion on high-density routes.
- Benefits: 47 MTPA freight, oil and CO2 savings, regional links.
- Challenges: land, execution on running lines.
- Conclusion: Gati Shakti planning and terminals.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-09): CCEA approved five rail projects (~540 km) across TN, AP, Karnataka and Telangana, costing ₹10,021 crore, to be completed by 2029-30.
- Rail freight share is central to logistics cost reduction.
Quotable data pointThey include Arakkonam–Renigunta 3rd/4th line and Hosur–Omalur doubling.
PIB: CCEA: five railway multitracking projects, 9 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: CCEA chair.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The Hosur-Omalur doubling project approved in 2026 lies mainly in
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 9 Sep 2026.
"Railways" is an entry in
Answer (a) & explanation
Constitution: List I, Entry 22.
The five multitracking projects of September 2026 are planned on
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 9 Sep 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What did the Cabinet approve on 9 September 2026?
Five Railway multitracking projects costing about ₹10,021 crore and adding about 540 km.
Which States do the projects cover?
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, across 17 districts.
When will they be completed?
They are planned for completion by 2029-30.
How much extra freight will they carry?
About 47 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
Keep studying
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Official source: PIB: CCEA: five railway multitracking projects, 9 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending