New Delhi, August 9 (UNI) In a big push to ongoing rail infrastructure development in the country, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved eight major railway projects with a total estimated cost of Rs 24,657 crore.
The proposed rail line projects would cover 14 districts across seven states including Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana and West Bengal. The projects are expected to be completed by 2030-31.
With these projects, 64 new stations will be constructed providing enhanced connectivity to six Aspirational districts, nearly 510 villages and about 40 lakh population.
Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site will also be connected to the Indian Railway network facilitating large number of tourists.
"These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminium powder, granite, ballast, containers etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 143 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum)," an official statement said.
The proposed projects will improve logistical efficiency by connecting the unconnected areas and enhancing transportation networks, resulting in streamlined supply chains and accelerated economic growth.
Among other key decisions, the Union Cabinet today approved Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 under which financial assistance will be provided to 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families to construct, purchase or rent a house at an affordable cost in urban areas in 5 years. The government assistance of Rs 2.30 lakh crore will be provided under the scheme.
The Union Cabinet also approved implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) during financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29 with total outlay pegged at Rs 3,06,137 crore.
The total outlay includes Central share of Rs 2,05,856 crore and State Matching Share of Rs 1,00,281 crore.
Under the scheme, financial assistance would be provided for the construction of two crore more houses at existing unit assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in North Eastern Region States and Hill States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare was also approved by the government
"With a substantial investment of Rs 1,765.67 crore, this pioneering initiative is set to revolutionize the horticulture sector in India and expected to set new standards for excellence and sustainability," the official statement said.
To keep pace with the latest developments in the field of biofuels and to attract more investment, the Cabinet also approved the modified Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana.
The modified scheme extends the timeline for implementation of scheme by five years till 2028-29 and includes advanced biofuels produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks i.e. agricultural and forestry residues, industrial waste, synthesis (syn) gas, algae etc. in its scope. “Bolt on” plants and “Brownfield projects” would also now be eligible to leverage their experience and improve their viability.
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