Cabinet Decisions Bridge Remote - Urban Connectivity Gap: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the latest Union Cabinet decisions are set to significantly strengthen infrastructure, improve logistics efficiency, and enhance the ease of living for citizens across multiple regions. The Cabinet cleared three major railway multi-tracking projects spanning Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka , with an estimated investment exceeding ₹18,500 crore . The projects will add nearly 389 km of additional rail capacity on high-density routes such as Delhi–Ambala , Kasara–Manmad , and Ballari–Hosapete , aimed at easing congestion on freight-intensive corridors linking ports, mining zones, and industrial clusters while improving passenger train punctuality.

The rail capacity expansion is expected to handle an additional 90 million tonnes of freight annually , enabling faster movement of coal, steel, cement, food grains, fertilizers, and container traffic. Improved throughput is projected to reduce turnaround time, strengthen supply chains, and support manufacturing and agricultural distribution networks. Infrastructure economists note that enhancing rail efficiency is critical to reducing India’s logistics costs currently estimated at 13–14% of GDP and boosting export competitiveness.

Officials estimate the projects will generate over 2.5 crore person-days of employment during construction and create indirect jobs across steel, cement, engineering, and transport sectors. Nearly one crore residents in thousands of villages are expected to benefit from improved connectivity to markets, healthcare, education, and tourism hubs. Enhanced connectivity to the Ballari–Hosapete mining belt in Karnataka and port-linked cargo routes in Maharashtra is expected to support industrial growth, while northern sections will ease passenger congestion in Delhi and Haryana .

The Cabinet also approved four-laning of stretches of National Highway-56 in Gujarat, including the Dhamasiya–Bitada/Movi and Nasarpore–Malotha sections, improving connectivity in tribal and remote areas and enhancing access to the Statue of Unity , a key tourism driver. In southern India, widening NH-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar along the Hyderabad–Panaji Economic Corridor will improve inter-state connectivity, reduce travel time, and strengthen freight movement.

In the National Capital Region, the 11.56-km Aqua Line extension from Noida Sector 142 to Botanical Garden , estimated at ₹2,254 crore , will create a major interchange with Delhi Metro’s Blue and Magenta Lines. The corridor, expected to be completed within four years, is projected to reduce travel time from about 45 minutes to nearly 15 minutes while easing congestion on the Noida Expressway.

Officials said the projects align with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan , promoting multimodal connectivity, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and building a modern logistics backbone to support India’s long-term economic growth.