NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the Modi government has launched infrastructure initiatives totaling nearly Rs 5 lakh crore in its third term, announcing sector-wise approvals following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet sanctioned airport development at Bagdogra, Bihta, Varanasi, and Kota with a combined investment of Rs 7,339 crore, aimed at bolstering regional air connectivity across these strategic locations.
A landmark Rs 1,45,945 crore allocation covers construction of Vadhavan major port near Dahanu in Maharashtra, alongside shipbuilding and maritime development reforms designed to amplify India’s maritime capacity and streamline logistics efficiency.
The highways sector secured the largest investment at Rs 1,97,644 crore, encompassing eight National High-Speed Road projects spanning 936 km, PM Gram Sadak Yojana expansion, and border area strategic roads in Punjab and Rajasthan. Key corridors include Patna-Arrah-Sasaram, Zirakpur bypass, Shillong-Silchar route, six-lane JNPT connectivity, and multi-lane projects across Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam, plus ring roads in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Vaishnaw confirmed 43 railway projects covering 5,869 km of new lines and multi-tracking with Rs 1,52,583 crore investment, targeting congestion relief, improved freight movement, and enhanced passenger services.
The Cabinet approved Delhi Metro Phase-IVA featuring 13 stations—10 underground and 3 elevated—slated for completion within three years, expanding the capital’s mass transit network.
These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to world-class connectivity, employment generation, and sustained economic momentum through comprehensive infrastructure development.
