In a landmark decision marking the end of an era, the Union Cabinet convened its last meeting at South Block on Friday, greenlighting infrastructure projects worth a staggering ₹1,60,504 crore focused on roads and railways. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approvals on Saturday, signaling a major boost to India’s connectivity backbone.
The shift to the new ‘Seva Tirth’ complex, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ushers in a new chapter for governance. This state-of-the-art facility now houses the Prime Minister’s Office, National Security Council Secretariat, and Cabinet Secretariat, promising enhanced efficiency in decision-making.
Among the key approvals, the Cabinet launched the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), a game-changer for urban development. With central assistance covering 25% of project costs—provided at least 50% is sourced from markets—this fund aims to revolutionize city infrastructure and reforms.
Railway enhancements took center stage with three multi-tracking projects spanning Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Costing ₹18,509 crore, these will add 389 kilometers to the network, easing congestion and speeding up passenger and freight movement.
Boosting the startup ecosystem, the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 received ₹10,000 crore approval. Designed to channel long-term domestic capital, it will empower innovators across the nation with robust financial backing.
Highway upgrades include the reconstruction of NH-160A’s 154.635 km stretch in Maharashtra at ₹3,320.38 crore, and widening NH-167 in Telangana to four lanes for ₹3,175.08 crore along the Hyderabad-Panaji corridor. Gujarat’s NH-56 segments will also expand to four lanes with ₹4,583.64 crore investment.
These initiatives are poised to cut logistics costs, enhance freight efficiency, and drive socio-economic growth, aligning with India’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.