NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, approved five multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a combined estimated cost of ₹10,021 crore. The projects cover 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and will add approximately 540 km to the existing railway network.
| Project | Work | States | Length |
| Arakkonam–Renigunta | 3rd & 4th line | Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh | 77 km |
| Whitefield–Bangarapet | 3rd & 4th line | Karnataka & Tamil Nadu | 47 km |
| Hosur–Omalur | Doubling | Tamil Nadu & Karnataka | 147 km |
| Salem–Karur–Dindigul | Doubling | Tamil Nadu | 159 km |
| Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet | Multitracking | Telangana | 110 km |
The project will particularly increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 540 kms and will enhance connectivity to approximately 2,121 villages , with a total population of 52 lakh.
The capacity enhancement will also strengthen rail connectivity to several important tourist and religious and tourist destinations across the country such as Tirupati,Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Kolar Gold Fields,Hosur Fort,Mettur Dam,Hogenakkal Falls and many more.
The routes are also strategically important for freight movement of coal, cement, iron,steel,containers,automobiles,foodgrains,petroleum products, and fertilisers.The Railway Ministry estimates that the capacity augmentation could facilitate additional freight traffic of around 47 million tonnes per annum (47 MTPA).
The weekly brief metro & rail professionals read.
The government also estimates environmental benefits from shifting more passenger and freight traffic towards rail such as reducing oil consumption by approximately 8 crore litres and CO₂ emissions by approximately 42 crore kg , which is equivalent to planting around 2 crore trees.