cabinet-gives-go-ahead-to-massive-pan-india-projects

The Union Cabinet approved a major infrastructure push, including India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra, a Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund, Noida Metro extension, railway multi-tracking projects across four states, and national highway upgrades. The decisions aim to strengthen connectivity, logistics efficiency, and regional development nationwide.

India’s first road-cum-rail tunnel under Brahmaputra

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the construction of a 33.7-km twin-tube tunnel in Assam between Gohpur and Numaligarh. The tunnel will feature two lanes per tube for road traffic and railway infrastructure in one tube, drastically reducing the current 240-km road journey across NH-715 and NH-15 to under a few hours.

The project is expected to generate 80 lakh person-days of employment, enhance freight efficiency, and improve multi-modal connectivity to key economic, tourist, and logistics hubs.

Urban Challenge Fund and metro expansion

The Cabinet approved the Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) to drive market-led urban transformation. Central assistance will cover 25% of project costs, with the remaining mobilised via private sector and market financing. Cities with populations over 10 lakh, capitals, industrial centres, and northeastern towns will be eligible.

An  11.56-km extension of the Noida Metro from Sector 142 to Botanical Garden, comprising eight elevated stations, was also approved. The extension will integrate with the Blue and Magenta Lines, expanding connectivity across Delhi-NCR.

Other key approvals

• Railway multi-tracking: Three projects across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka; adds 389 km to network; benefits 3,902 villages; enables additional 96 million tonnes freight/year.

• Highway upgrades:

  • NH-160A (Maharashtra): Ghoti–Trimbak–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar, 2/4 lanes, Rs 3,320 crore

  • NH-56 (Gujarat): Dhamasiya–Bitada/Movi & Nasarpore–Malotha, 4-lane, Rs 4,583 crore

  • NH-167 (Telangana): Gudebellur–Mahabubnagar, 4-lane, Rs 3,175 crore

• Startup India Fund 2.0: Mobilises venture capital for India’s startup ecosystem. 

• North/South Block transition: Conversion to ‘Seva Teerth’ and ‘Kartavya Bhavans’; lays foundation for ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum.