The government has sanctioned railway infrastructure projects worth ₹2,193 crore aimed at improving safety, connectivity and operational efficiency across three critical corridors. The sanctions include critical slope stabilisation, tunnel rehabilitation and bridge protection works on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section of Northern Railway at a cost of ₹238 crore. As reported by the Ministry of Railways, the approved works include slope stabilisation, rehabilitation measures, treatment of tunnel seepage issues, bridge protection works and other related safety interventions at vulnerable locations along the route. Additionally, the government approved the Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project spanning 54 km at a cost of ₹962 crore and the Arakkonam-Chengalpattu Doubling Project for ₹993 crore.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the works reflect the government's commitment towards ensuring safe and reliable rail connectivity in some of the country's most challenging terrains. According to the government, following a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges and tunnels, protection and rehabilitation works have been sanctioned to strengthen the long-term safety and reliability of the strategically important section. The ₹238 crore project was officially approved on May 19, 2026, with the Northern Railway responsible for overseeing and implementing the slope stabilization, tunnel repairs, and bridge protection works. The Jammu-Katra section has faced several engineering and operational challenges due to difficult terrain, adverse geological conditions and extreme weather events. The newly sanctioned protection and rehabilitation measures will make the route more resilient and improve safety for millions of passengers travelling on the corridor annually.
In a separate development, the government approved the Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project spanning 54 km at a cost of ₹962 crore. According to the ministry, the project forms part of the high-density Howrah-Delhi corridor and aims to enhance capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen passenger and freight movement across Eastern and Northern India. The existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is currently operating beyond optimal capacity utilisation, while traffic demand on the corridor is expected to rise further in the coming years. Minister Vaishnaw stated that the project will significantly enhance capacity on the heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi corridor and help improve punctuality and operational flexibility of train services, while facilitating seamless movement of passenger and freight trains.
The government also approved the Arakkonam-Chengalpattu Doubling Project for ₹993 crore to add a second line on the 68-km section of Southern Railway. The project forms a key part of the Chennai suburban circular network connecting Chennai Beach, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and Arakkonam, with the single line currently running at high capacity utilisation. Minister Vaishnaw noted that the doubling will play a significant role in easing congestion on the busy Chennai suburban rail network while improving punctuality and operational efficiency. The corridor serves major economic hubs including Mahindra World City, Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and Irungattukottai, and supports automobile, cement and manufacturing industries, with the proposed Parandur Airport near Kancheepuram also lying close to the alignment.
