Green signal given to projects worth Rs 1,60,504 crore
The Cabinet, in its last meeting in South Block, approved railways, bridges and other projects worth a total of Rs 1.60 lakh crore. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the Union Cabinet in its last meeting in the historic South Block gave green signal to projects worth Rs 1,60,504 crore. After this, the cabinet passed a proposal to shift its functioning to the newly built Seva Teerth complex. After being inaugurated about 95 years ago in 1931, the government is now moving out of South Block. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Seva Teerth to the nation on 13 February.
Approval of Rs 1.60 lakh crore in different sectors
In the last meeting, major decisions related to railways, national highways, metro expansion, urban reforms and startup funding were taken.
The main approvals are as follows
- Kasaramanmad third and fourth railway line Rs 10,154 crore
- Delhi-Ambala third and fourth railway line Rs 5,983 crore
- Ballarihospet 3rd and 4th Railway Line Rs 2,372 crore
- Road-cum-rail tunnel under Brahmaputra between Gohpur and Numaligarh in Assam Rs 18,662 crore
- Urban Challenge Fund Rs 1,00,000 crore (Central help)
- Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 Rs 10,000 crore
- NH-167 widening in Telangana Rs 3,175.08 crore
- NH-56 upgrade in Gujarat worth Rs 4,583.64 crore
- NH-160A upgrade in Maharashtra Rs 3,320.38 crore
- Noida Metro Aqua Line extension Rs 2,254 crore
- Railway Multitracking Projects: Rs 18,509 crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three railway multitracking projects worth Rs 18,509 crore, which will be completed by 2030-31. This will benefit 12 districts of Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. About 389 km new line will be connected and 265 lakh man-days will be provided direct employment.
These projects will increase freight capacity, reduce oil import by about 22 crore liters and also reduce carbon emissions. This will provide better rail connectivity to about 3,900 villages. Also, access to major tourist places like Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling, Vaishno Devi Katra and Hampi will be easy.
tunnel under brahmaputra
A 15.79 km long twin-tube tunnel will be built under the Brahmaputra river. This project is considered important for Assam and the entire North-Eastern region. This is expected to generate employment of about 80 lakh man-days.
National Highway Projects
Many highway projects have been approved in Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra. This will reduce travel time, benefit industries and generate employment for lakhs of man-days.
Urban Challenge Fund and promotion of startups
The government has decided to launch an Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore for the period 2025-26 to 2030-31. Apart from this, a fund of Rs 10,000 crore will be created under Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, through which new and technology based companies will be able to get capital.
noida metro extension
Noida Metro’s Aqua Line will be extended 11.56 km from Sector 142 to Botanical Garden. With this, the total metro network in Noida and Greater Noida will be 61.62 km and there will be direct connection with Blue and Magenta Line.
