The Union Cabinet, in its final meeting at South Block, sanctioned projects totaling Rs 1,60,504 crore before deciding to relocate its operations to the Seva Teerth complex. This new complex, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accommodates the Prime Minister’s Office, National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat. Major decisions encompassed railways, national highways, metro expansion, urban reforms, and startup funding.
A significant move in urban development saw the approval of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) with central assistance of Rs 1 lakh crore, marking a shift in approach. The government will provide 25% of the project cost, contingent on raising a minimum of 50% from the market.
The Cabinet greenlit three multi-tracking projects spanning 12 districts in Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, with a total outlay of Rs 18,509 crore. This initiative is set to extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 389 kms.
To bolster India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, the Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, endorsed the establishment of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore. This fund aims to attract long-term domestic capital and provide robust financial support to startups nationwide.
Furthermore, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar section of NH-160A in Maharashtra, covering a total length of 154.635 kms with an outlay of Rs 3,320.38 crore.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the widening of National Highway-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor to a 4-Lane road in Telangana, with an outlay of Rs 3,175.08 crore. This move is expected to enhance freight movement efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and drive socio-economic growth in the region.
In a bid to enhance road connectivity in Gujarat, the government greenlit the upgradation of two sections of National Highway-56 to 4-lane roads, with an outlay of Rs 4,583.64 crore.
