The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a series of major infrastructure projects worth around ₹12,000 crore. The committee also cleared the extension and restructuring of the Jal Jeevan Mission, with a total outlay exceeding ₹5 lakh crore.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who highlighted that these projects aim to strengthen connectivity, reduce congestion, and support economic development across several regions.
Railway Multi-Tracking Projects Approved
The Ministry of Railways received approval for two railway infrastructure projects with a combined cost of approximately ₹4,474 crore.
The projects include:
- Construction of the 4th railway line between Sainthia and Pakur
- Development of the 4th line between Santragachi and Kharagpur
These projects will be implemented across districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand, and are expected to expand the “Indian Railways network by around 192 kilometres.
According to the official statement, the multi-tracking projects will:
- Improve operational efficiency
- Reduce congestion on busy routes
- Strengthen freight transportation
- Enhance regional connectivity
The upgraded railway network is expected to benefit around 5,652 villages with a combined population of approximately 1.47 crore people.
Boost to Tourism Connectivity
The improved railway infrastructure will also strengthen connectivity to several popular tourist destinations, including:
- Bolpur Shantiniketan
- Nandikeshwari Temple
- Tarapith Temple
- Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary
Improved connectivity to these locations is expected to support tourism development and local economic activity.
Four-Lane Highway Corridor Approved
In another major decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the development of an 80.45-kilometre four-lane highway corridor along the Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla–Timarwani section of National Highway 752D.
The project will require an investment of approximately ₹3,839.42 crore.
The corridor will connect Ujjain with the Timarwani interchange on the Delhi Mumbai Expressway, significantly improving regional connectivity.
Key benefits of the project include:
- Reduced travel time by nearly one hour
- Improved road safety and travel efficiency
- Stronger inter-state connectivity
The project will also help manage the expected increase in traffic during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled in 2028.
Jal Jeevan Mission Restructured and Extended
Apart from infrastructure approvals, the Cabinet also cleared a proposal to restructure the Jal Jeevan Mission, shifting its focus from simply creating infrastructure to ensuring sustainable service delivery of rural drinking water.
The government has approved an enhanced total outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore for the mission.
Out of this:
- Central government assistance: ₹3.59 lakh crore
- Earlier approved assistance (2019-20): ₹2.08 lakh crore
- Additional central allocation: ₹1.51 lakh crore
The restructured programme will emphasise:
- Sustainable rural piped drinking water supply
- Strengthening local water governance
- Building a robust institutional ecosystem for long-term water management
The approvals by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs represent a major push towards infrastructure development and improved public services. The railway expansion, highway corridor development, and strengthening of the Jal Jeevan Mission are expected to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and improve the quality of life in both rural and urban regions.