Indian Railways is executing a massive modernization and capacity expansion drive under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Below is an overview of key ongoing and recently approved mega railway projects across India:
1. Major Multi-Tracking & Line Expansion Projects
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved 8 major multi-tracking projects worth over ₹20,800 crore, adding over 1,200 km of new tracks across 9 states:
| Project Corridor | Expansion Scope | States / Region Covered |
| Kharagpur – Jharsuguda | 4th Line | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha |
| Katni – Pendra Road | 4th Line | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
| Bilaspur (Uslapur) – Pendra Road | 3rd Line | Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh |
| Vadodara – Ratlam Section | 3rd & 4th Line (259 km) | Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh (Golden Quadrilateral) |
| Arakkonam – Renigunta | 3rd & 4th Line (77 km) | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh |
| Whitefield – Bangarapet | 3rd & 4th Line (47 km) | Karnataka |
| Hosur – Omalur | Line Doubling (147 km) | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
| Salem – Karur – Dindigul | Line Doubling (159 km) | Tamil Nadu |
| Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) – Kazipet | Multi-Tracking (110 km) | Telangana |
2. Strategic & Himalayan Rail Line Projects
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL): Connecting the Kashmir Valley seamlessly to the rest of India via the iconic Chenab Bridge.
Bhairabi – Sairang New B.G. Line: Providing direct rail connectivity to Mizoram.
Agartala – Sabroom Line: Enhancing connectivity to Tripura and enabling future connectivity with Bangladesh.
Taranga Hill – Ambaji – Abu Road BG Line: Connecting key pilgrimage destinations across Gujarat and Rajasthan.
3. High-Speed Rail & Rolling Stock
Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train): Indigenous high-speed trainsets are being developed, with initial services targeted on the Surat–Vapi section.
Vande Bharat & Amrit Bharat Expansion: Continued roll-out of semi-high-speed sleeper and chair-car trainsets across high-density corridors.
4. Logistics & Freight Augmentation
Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): Expanding Eastern and Western DFCs to move heavy bulk cargo (coal, iron, cement, steel) off main passenger lines.
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals: Setting up multi-modal logistics parks and cargo sidings to cut logistics costs across key industrial corridors.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is an ambitious mission launched by the Ministry of Railways in December 2022 to modernize, upgrade, and transform railway stations across India into long-term "City Centres".
Rather than focusing on isolated cosmetic fixes, the scheme relies on long-term master planning to redevelop 1,337 railway stations nationwide in phases.
Key Objectives & Upgrades
City-Centre Concept: Station buildings are integrated with both sides of the city, featuring wide Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), roof plazas, and seamless road-rail multi-modal connectivity.
Local Architecture & Culture: Station facades are redesigned to reflect local regional heritage and cultural aesthetics rather than generic templates.
Passenger Amenities:
Executive lounges, upgraded waiting halls, modern toilet facilities, and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Divyangjan-friendly facilities including tactile pathways, ramps, and dedicated lifts.
"One Station One Product" kiosks to promote local crafts and industries.
Traffic & Environmental Flow: Extended platform shelters, dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones, expanded parking, and eco-friendly features like solar panel roofs.
Major Stations Under Redevelopment
The project spans stations across major metropolitan hubs, state capitals, and crucial industrial/pilgrimage junctions:
1. National Capital Region (NCR) & North
Delhi Hubs: New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Delhi Nizamuddin, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Bijwasan, and Modi Nagar.
Punjab, Haryana & UP: Ambala Cantt, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Varanasi Junction, Ayodhya Dham, Lucknow (Charbagh), Kanpur Central, Agra Cantt, and Gorakhpur.
2. West & Central
Mumbai & Maharashtra: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Borivali, Bandra Terminus, Pune Junction, Nagpur Junction, Baramati, and Nandura.
Gujarat & MP: Ahmedabad Junction, Vadodara, Surat, Dwarka, Gandhidham, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur.
3. South & Deccan
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh: Hi-Tech City, Secunderabad Junction, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.
Karnataka & Tamil Nadu: Bengaluru Cantt, Yesvantpur, Mysuru, Chennai Egmore, Madurai Junction, and Coimbatore Junction.
4. East & North-East
West Bengal & Odisha: Howrah Junction, Sealdah, Asansol, Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack.
Assam & North-East: Guwahati, Kamakhya, Dibrugarh, and Silchar.
Execution Status
Scale: Over 1,300 stations are identified under the scheme.
Milestones: More than 180 stations have been completed and opened to the public, with target completions scaling past 400 stations.
Inaugurations: Multiple batches of completed stations—ranging from major regional hubs to suburban transit points like Hi-Tech City and Modi Nagar—have been progressively dedicated to the nation.
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