Cabinet approves Rs 1,878 crore highway and Rs 1,332 crore railway projects

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a ₹1,878.31 crore access-controlled six-lane highway in Punjab and Haryana, and ₹1,332 crore railway projects.

Besides, it approved modernisation of command area development and water management as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for 2025-2026 at ₹1,600 crore.

An official statement said a 19.2-km bypass in Punjab and Haryana will be developed on the hybrid annuity model. It is expected to ease congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting traffic from Patiala, Delhi and Mohali Aerocity, and providing direct connectivity to Himachal Pradesh.


Addressing mediapersons after the cabinet meeting, railways, information and broadcasting, and electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "The PM Gati Shakti Portal has identified crucial infrastructure that need to be developed. The new railway line will improve connectivity to cement plants, power projects and agricultural products in the vicinity."

The railway connectivity project will cover three districts across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 113 km.

The command area development and water management sub-scheme approved by the cabinet aims at modernisation of the irrigation water supply network.