Cabinet Approves ₹13,041 Cr for Railway Multi-Tracking & NH-22 Highway to Decongest Howrah-Chennai Route

CCEA Approves 8 Railway Multi-Tracking Projects Worth ₹20,804 Cr Under PM Gati Shakti

CCEA approved eight railway multi-tracking projects costing ₹20,804 crore across nine states, adding 1,196 km to the Indian Railways network. The projects are planned under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and will generate additional freight capacity of 74 MTPA. For exams, remember the split: first five projects cover TN, AP, Karnataka and Telangana; the other three cover WB, Jharkhand, Odisha, MP and Chhattisgarh.

Cabinet Approves ₹8,970 Cr, 135.87 km NH-15 Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor with ELF for IAF

The Union Cabinet approved a 135.87 km, ₹8,970 crore Guwahati-Tezpur corridor on NH-15 in Assam, developed on BOT toll mode. It includes an emergency landing facility (ELF) for IAF, five bypasses, and connectivity to 8 PM Gati Shakti economic nodes. This project is a high-yield topic for Prelims data and Mains infrastructure/regional development.

Indian Railways Targets 3,000 MT Freight by 2030 with HDN Multitracking & 3rd DFC

Indian Railways' freight revenue (over 65% of total earnings) is vital for subsidising passenger travel. To counter road competition and reduce India's high logistics cost (12-13% of GDP), Railways is quadrupling its high-density networks and building dedicated freight corridors. The ambitious 3,000 million tonne freight loading target by 2030 hinges on decongesting HDNs and expanding DFCs.

New UPI MDR: Flat Rs 5 Charge on Railway Bookings Above Rs 2,000 from Oct 15, 2026

From October 15, 2026, UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for railway tickets will attract a flat Rs 5 Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) instead of the general 0.4% fee. Crucially, this charge is on the merchant side and will not be passed to passengers. This special category concession makes railway ticketing cheaper to process than regular merchant payments.

Railway Line Reaches Chhattisgarh's Rowghat: 17.5-km Taroki-Rowghat Section Completed Under Dallirajhara-Rowghat Project

Indian Railways has completed the 17.5-km Taroki-Rowghat section, marking the first time a railway line has reached Chhattisgarh's remote Rowghat area. This milestone will enhance connectivity, support iron ore transport to Bhilai Steel Plant, and boost economic development in south Chhattisgarh.

₹25,106 Cr for 18 Rail Projects to Boost Haldia Port Connectivity in Eastern India

Indian Railways has initiated 18 projects covering 2,455 km to decongest and enhance rail connectivity to Haldia Port, a key eastern gateway for freight. With a total sanctioned cost of ₹25,106 Cr for 8 projects, this is a major infrastructure push under PM Gati Shakti, directly relevant for Prelims data and Mains questions on logistics, port-rail integration, and regional development.

₹3,198 Cr Railway Projects for Seemanchal Bihar: 764 Km New Lines, 11 Projects, Katihar Redevelopment

Indian Railways has planned 764 km of new line projects worth ₹3,198 Cr to boost connectivity in Bihar's Seemanchal region, linking it with West Bengal and North-Eastern states. The expansion includes 11 projects at various stages, and Katihar Junction (handling 172 passenger trains daily) has been identified for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

₹2,229 Cr Approved for Quadrupling Gummidipoondi-Gudur Section on High-Density Routes

The Union Cabinet has approved ₹2,229 crore for constructing third and fourth lines on the Gummidipoondi-Gudur section, which is part of the high-density Delhi-Chennai and Howrah-Chennai routes. This project also supports the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor and the planned East Coast Economic Corridor, making it crucial for both passenger and freight capacity expansion.