Cabinet approves ₹2,781 cr railway projects for Gujarat, Maharashtra

The Cabinet has approved ₹2,781 crore worth of railway projects in Gujarat and Maharashtra; these will add new tracks, improve train services, and boost connectivity

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved two major railway projects worth ₹2,781 crore in Gujarat and Maharashtra, aimed at easing congestion, improving services and boosting regional connectivity.

 

What the projects include

• Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus doubling of 141 km

• Badlapur–Karjat 3rd and 4th line covering 32 km

 

Together, the projects will add 224 km to the Indian Railways network, benefiting nearly 585 villages with a combined population of about 3.2 million.

 

Pilgrimage and suburban gains

The doubling of the Kanalus–Okha section will strengthen access to the Dwarkadhish temple and support development across the Saurashtra region.

 

The Badlapur–Karjat stretch—part of the Mumbai suburban network—will get two new lines to ease pressure on the fast-growing suburban system and improve future passenger movement. The route is also critical for transporting coal, salt, containers, cement and petroleum products. With higher capacity, Railways expects to handle up to 18 million tonnes more freight annually.

 

Cabinet approves Pune Metro Line 4 and 4A

The Cabinet also cleared two new metro corridors under Phase-2 of the Pune Metro project: 

• Line 4 (Kharadi–Hadapsar–Swargate–Khadakwasla)

• Line 4A (Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug)

 

This is the second major approval under Phase-2, following clearance for Lines 2A and 2B.

 

New corridors to span 31.6 km with 28 stations

Lines 4 and 4A will span 31.636 km with 28 elevated stations. The corridors will link IT hubs, business districts, residential zones and major educational institutions across East, South and West Pune.

 

The project, estimated at ₹9,857.85 crore, will be completed in five years, taking Pune Metro’s footprint beyond 100 km.

 

Integrated links across the city

Both lines are integral to Pune’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan and will interchange with operational and approved corridors at: 

• Kharadi Bypass

• Nal Stop (Line 2)

• Swargate (Line 1)

 

They will also connect to Hadapsar Railway Station and proposed extensions toward Loni Kalbhor and Saswad Road.

 

Connecting key roads

The new routes will run along major corridors such as Solapur Road, Magarpatta Road, Sinhagad Road, Karve Road and the Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway, providing relief to some of Pune’s busiest stretches.

 

Ridership projected to cross 1.17 million by 2058

 

Combined ridership for Lines 4 and 4A is projected at: 

• 409,000 daily passengers in 2028

• ~700,000 in 2038

• ~963,000 in 2048

• Over 1.17 million in 2058

 

The Kharadi–Khadakwasla corridor alone is expected to carry 323,000 passengers in 2028, rising to 933,000 by 2058, while the Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug spur will increase from 85,555 passengers to 241,000 over the same period.