The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two rail projects for West Bengal and Jharkhand on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) at a total cost of ₹4,474 crore.

These projects include a fourth rail line between Santragachi – Kharagpur in West Bengal and another connecting Sainthia in West Bengal and Pakur in Jharkhand. 

The two projects cover five districts in the two States and will increase the existing rail network by about 192 km. It will enhance connectivity to nearly 5,652 villages, covering a total population of about 147 lakh.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple (Shaktipeeth), Tarapith (Shaktipeeth), Patachitra Gram, Dhadika Forest, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rameshwar Kund, according to a press statement.

The approved projects are also essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, and foodgrains. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of 31 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).