¨     Two Railway Multi-Tracking projects approved across Maharashtra and Gujarat.

¨     The approval of two major multi-tracking railway projects was announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 November.

¨     A combined cost of nearly ₹2,781 crore was sanctioned to enhance line capacity and strengthen rail connectivity in both states.

¨     It was stated that the works include doubling the 141-km Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus section and adding 3rd and 4th lines on the 32-km Badlapur–Karjat stretch.

¨     Together these projects will expand the network by about 224 km and ease congestion to allow smoother passenger and freight movement.

¨     The Ministry confirmed that the projects fall under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aimed at improving multimodal logistics.

¨     Completion of the works is expected to benefit nearly 585 villages with a combined population of around 32 lakhs.

¨     The doubling project will help improve access to the Dwarkadhish Temple and support economic growth in the wider Saurashtra region.

¨     The additional tracks in the Badlapur–Karjat belt will address rising suburban demand and enhance links toward southern India.

¨     Indian Railways estimated that capacity augmentation will enable movement of 18 million tonnes of additional freight annually.

¨     Officials added that the projects will help reduce logistics costs, save nearly 3 crore litres of fuel and cut 16 crore kilograms of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting 64 lakh trees.