The central cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, approved several major projects aimed at national development. The decisions, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, include initiatives to strengthen urban infrastructure, expand transport networks, and support the startup ecosystem, with a combined investment of ₹1,60,504 crore.
Urban Development and Railway Expansion
The government launched the Urban Challenge Fund with an allocation of ₹1 lakh crore to enhance city infrastructure over the next five years, targeting investments of around ₹4 lakh crore. A ₹5,000 crore credit guarantee scheme was approved to enable Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to access loans for development. In the railway sector, the cabinet approved third and fourth line constructions on key routes, including Kasara–Manmad (₹10,154 crore for 131 km), Delhi–Ambala (₹5,983 crore for 194 km), and Ballari–Hospet (₹2,372 crore).
Key Projects for Telangana
A four-lane national highway between Gudibelluru and Mahbubnagar in Telangana was approved, with ₹3,715 crore released for the project. Part of the Hyderabad–Panaji Economic Corridor, the 80.01 km highway costing ₹3,175 crore will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The new road, passing through Mahbubnagar, Devarakadra, Marikal, Makthal, and Maganur, is expected to significantly reduce travel time for passengers traveling from Hyderabad to Raichur, Mantralayam, and Goa.
Startup India Fund, PMO Renaming, and Assam Tunnel
The cabinet sanctioned the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with ₹10,000 crore to support startups in deep-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors. Delhi’s South and North Blocks will be converted into museums, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) complex has been renamed Seva Teerth, inaugurated by PM Modi on Friday. In Assam, a 34 km underwater road tunnel under the Brahmaputra River between Gohupur and Numalighar was approved, reducing the 250 km journey from six hours to just 20 minutes.