New Delhi, Feb 25 : The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved three multi-tracking railway projects, the extension of the Ahmedabad Metro, and the development of a new integrated terminal at Srinagar airport, with a combined outlay of Rs 11,806 crore. An increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for raw jute was also cleared.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the railway works include doubling of the Gondia–Jabalpur line and addition of third and fourth tracks on the Punarakh–Kiul and Gamharia–Chandil corridors. Spanning eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, the projects will add nearly 307 km to the network and facilitate the introduction of 38 additional passenger and express trains. The rail component involves an investment of Rs 9,072 crore and is targeted for completion by 2030–31.
The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 1,677 crore for developing the Civil Enclave at Srinagar airport to address rising passenger demand to the Valley. Additionally, the Ahmedabad Metro expansion, approved at Rs 1,067 crore, is expected to be completed within four years and serve nearly 23,700 commuters by 2029.
Separately, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved raising the equity investment limit of PowerGrid from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 7,500 crore per subsidiary, enabling it to undertake larger transmission projects and support renewable energy evacuation toward the 2030 clean energy target.