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Five projects worth around Rs 10,021 crore have been approved across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The projects will add around 540 km to the railway network and cover 17 districts, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The projects include the third and fourth lines between Arakkonam and Renigunta, third and fourth lines between Whitefield and Bangarapet, doubling of the Hosur-Omalur section, doubling of the Salem-Karur-Dindigul section, and 110 km of multitracking between Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) and Kazipet.

The projects are expected to improve connectivity to around 2,121 villages with a combined population of about 52 lakh. The government said they will also strengthen connectivity to destinations including Tirupati, Kolar Gold Fields, Mettur Dam, the Kodaikanal Hills and Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary.

The southern projects are expected to support incremental freight movement of around 47 million tonne per annum (MTPA).

The government estimates that they could reduce oil imports by about 80 million litres and carbon dioxide emissions by around 420 million kg.

The remaining three projects, worth Rs 10,783 crore, will be implemented across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. They comprise the fourth line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda (Bagdehi), the fourth line between Katni and Pendra Road, and the third line between Bilaspur (Uslapur) and Pendra Road.

These projects will add around 656 km to the railway network and cover 14 districts. They are expected to improve connectivity to around 4,790 villages with a combined population of nearly 56 lakh, while also easing congestion and improving line capacity.

The additional infrastructure is expected to strengthen connectivity to tourist destinations including Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Amarkantak Temple, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple. The routes are also important freight corridors for commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel.

The three projects are expected to enable incremental freight movement of around 27 MTPA. They could also reduce oil imports by around 120 million litres and carbon dioxide emissions by about 620 million kg, according to the government.