Five billion dollars will be pumped into Asia's oldest rail network-Indian Railways-to keep up with the country's growing transportation and logistics needs. India's railways minister says the money will be used to build 10,000 kilometers (6,215 miles) of dedicated freight lines by 2010.

India's economy is likely to grow as much as 8.1 percent in the year ending March 31, following a 7.5 percent expansion a year earlier, according to the country's statistics bureau forecasts.

Future plans also call for a freight corridor to link New Delhi with Mumbai and ports in the west, and with the eastern city of Calcutta. Freight lines linking industrial centers and ports near these cities will also be built, said an executive with Indian Railways.