BIBHUDATTA PRADHAN / NEW DELHI
Amid the market weakness, the Union Cabinet approved five infrastructure projects with a combined investment of Rs 13,041 crore. The package comprises four railway multitracking projects costing Rs 9,450 crore and a highway project in Bihar estimated at Rs 3,590.73 crore. The railway projects, spread across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, are expected to add about 410 km to the rail network and help ease congestion. The government said the projects will improve connectivity to around 6,448 villages and support additional freight movement of approximately 76 million tonnes per annum.
Five projects, including four railway projects and one highway project. Briefing media after the Cabinet meeting in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the projects worth Rs 13,041 crore were approved today by the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr Vaishnaw informed that four multitracking projects of Railway will cover eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. These projects are Kharagpur Bhadrak 4th line, Bhadrak – Haridaspur 4th line, Gummidipundi – Gudur 3rd and 4th line and Cuttack – Paradeep 3rd and 4th line. This will add about 410 kilometer to Indian Railways network. Mr Vaishnaw informed that with total estimated cost of 9,450 crore rupees, the projects are scheduled for completion by 2030-31.
Mr Vaishnaw informed that Union Cabinet has also approved the upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa Section of NH-22 to four-Lane Standard in Bihar. He said, the 82.57 kilometer project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode at a total capital cost of over three thousand 590 crore rupees.
The proposed project holds significant strategic and economic relevance due to its integration with Bihar’s expanding National Highway network. It acts as a key feeder corridor connecting the India–Nepal border at Sonbarsa with economic centers like Muzaffarpur at NH-27 (East–West Corridor). The project will significantly reduce congestion in densely populated areas of Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi, and Sonbarsa.
The project is expected to enable faster and safer movement of passengers and freight, improve travel efficiency and strengthen regional connectivity. It has been designed for a speed of 100 kmph with an average speed of 80 kmph, having no at-grade median openings, ensuring fast and safe travel.
Planned in accordance with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the project will enhance multimodal integration by improving connectivity to key economic, social and logistics nodes, including industrial areas and major railway stations. Improved connectivity will facilitate efficient movement of goods and agricultural supply chains, support regional economic growth, and provide better access to important cultural and religious destinations such as the Buddhist Circuit and historic Janaki Punaura Dham Temple, Sitamarhi.
The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa stretch of NH-22 holds significant strategic and economic relevance, ensuring seamless linkage to the national freight grid. It is in synergy with existing corridors such as NH-31 and NH-122 enhances connectivity to industrial zones like Barauni and riverine logistics hubs along the Ganga It also enhances cross-border passenger and cargo movement via the nearby Land Port at Bhithamore.
In addition, the project has provision for seven Major Bridges (including a 340m long major bridge over the perennial Bagmati River), three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), and two Flyovers (1170m & 270m) to maintain cross movement of the traffic and ensure safe, high-speed travel.
The project will increase average travel speeds, reduce travel time, and improve overall road safety, fuel efficiency, and vehicle operating costs, thereby enhancing regional mobility and socio-economic development.
The project provides seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Bihar. Additionally, the upgraded corridor will enhance connectivity to five PM Gati-Shakti Economic Nodes (four Industrial Estates and one Mega Food park), four Social Nodes (Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janki Temple, Punaura Dham, Muzaffarpur & Sitamarhi aspirational Districts), and two Logistic Nodes (Muzaffarpur & Sitamarhi Railway Stations), thereby facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers across the region.