The Indian cabinet has given its approval for several significant infrastructure initiatives, including three multi-tracking railway projects, the extension of the Ahmedabad Metro, and the development of a new integrated terminal at Srinagar airport. The total investment for these projects amounts to Rs 11,806 crore as part of efforts to bolster transportation networks across India.

Details of Railway Projects Unveiled

During the announcement, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined the specifics of the railway projects. These include the doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur track, as well as the addition of third and fourth lines along the Punarakh-Kiul and Gamharia-Chandil corridors. Collectively, these upgrades are expected to extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 307 kilometers and facilitate the introduction of an additional 38 express and passenger trains.

Investment Breakdown and Completion Timeline

The total funding for the railway initiatives, which will traverse eight districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, is projected to be around Rs 9,072 crore. Officials expect these projects to be completed by the fiscal year 2030-31, enhancing connectivity in the respective regions.

Srinagar Airport Civil Enclave Approved

In conjunction with the railway projects, the government also announced the development of the Civil Enclave at Srinagar airport, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,677 crore. Vaishnaw noted a significant demand for air travel to the Kashmir Valley, emphasizing the need for improved facilities to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.

Ahmedabad Metro Extension Initiated

The cabinet sanctioned an extension of the Ahmedabad Metro at a cost of approximately Rs 1,067 crore. The completion date for this extended corridor is set for four years from now. It is anticipated that this development will benefit around 23,700 passengers by the year 2029, contributing to more efficient urban transit in the region.

PowerGrid Equity Investment Approved

Additionally, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a proposal to enhance the equity investment threshold for PowerGrid, a public sector enterprise, from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 7,500 crore per subsidiary. This adjustment enables PowerGrid to pursue capital-intensive transmission projects, aiming to enhance investments in its primary operations and assist in the evacuation of renewable energy capacity. This step is aligned with India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by the year 2030.

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