Cabinet Approvals on 16th August 2024

On 16th August 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India has approved the series of high-impact metro rail and infrastructure projects:

i.Extension of Pune Metro Phase-1 project from Swargate to Katraj spanning 5.46 kilometer (km).

ii.Development of Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project in Maharashtra

iii.Two Corridors of Banglore Metro Rail Phase-3 Project for 44.65 km with 31 stations.

iv.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved the development of two new civil enclaves at Bagdogra Airport  in West Bengal (WB) and Bihta Airport in Bihar.

• The combined cost of developing these two enclaves is of nearly Rs 3,000 crore.

v.Critical Road Connectivity for Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra to National Highway (NH)-48.

Cabinet Approves Extension of Pune Metro Phase-1 Project from Swargate to Katraj in Maharashtra

The Union Cabinet has approved the Swargate to Katraj Underground Line Extension of the existing Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)-Swargate Metro Line of Pune Metro Phase-1 project and this new extension is known as Line-1B extension.

• The project is expected to be operational by February 2029.
• It will cover an area of 5.46 kilometre (km) and will include 3 underground stations, connecting areas like Market Yard, Bibwewadi, Balaji Nagar, and Katraj.

Key Points:

i.The project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 2954.53 crore.

• The funding will be equally shared by the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Maharashtra (GoM), along with contributions from bilateral agencies, among others.

ii.The project will be executed by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO), which will monitor civil, electro-mechanical, and other associated facilities and works.

iii.The new corridor will link various bus stops, railway stations, recreational centers like the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Taljaihillock (tekdi), malls, etc., various residential areas, educational institutions, colleges, and major business hubs.

Cabinet Approves Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project in Maharashtra

The Union Cabinet has approved the 29 km- long Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project corridor in Maharashtra, will run along the periphery of western region of Thane city with 22 stations.

• The project is estimated to be operational by 2029.
• The network is bordered by Ulhas river on one side and Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on the other side, providing sustainable alternative to road traffic.

Key Points:

i.The project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 12,200.10 crore.

• The funding will be equally shared by the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Maharashtra (GoM), along with contributions from bilateral agencies, among others.

ii.The Maha-Metro will implement the project and will also monitor civil, electro-mechanical, and other associated facilities, works and related assets.

iii.The project will connect key residential and commercial hubs  including, Navpada, Wagle estate, Hiranandani estate, Kolshet, Dongripada, among others.

iv.The project will provide a sustainable and efficient mode of transport and will help to ease traffic congestion on the roads. It will also help to mitigate the emission of Green House Gases (GHGs).

Cabinet Approves Two Corridors of Bangalore Metro Rail Phase-3 Project in Karnataka

The Union Cabinet has approved the Bangalore Metro Rail Phase-3 project, which includes the construction of two elevated corridors of length 44.65 km with 31 new stations.

• The project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 15,611 crore.
• On completion of this approved project, Bengaluru city (Karnataka) will have 220.20 km of active Metro Rail Network.

Key Features:

i.Corridor1: It will stretch 32.15 km from JP Nagar 4th phase to Kempapura along the Outer Ring Road West, which will cover 21 stations.

• The project will integrate important industrial and residential areas, including the Peenya Industrial Area, the Information Technology (IT) sectors on Bannerghatta road and Outer Ring Road (ORR), and major educational institutions like PES University and Dayanand Sagar University.

ii.Corriodor2: It will extend 12.50 km from Hosahalli to Kadabagere along Magadi road, including 9 stations.

• It will serve the western part of Bengaluru, providing much-needed relief to congested routes and offering improved last-mile connectivity.

Cabinet Approves Development of New Civil Enclave at Bagdogra Airport West Bengal at an Estimated Cost of Rs 1549 crore

The Cabinet Committte on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the chairmanship of PM Modi has approved the proposal of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for development of New Civil Enclave at Bagdogra International Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal (WB).

• The project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1549 crore.

Key Features:

i.The new terminal building will span over an area of 70,390 km and is designed to handle 3,000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP), with an annual capacity of 10 million passengers.

ii.The project includes the construction of an Apron capable of accommodating 10 parking bays for A-321 type aircraft, as well as two link taxiways and multi-level car parking facility.

iii.The project also focuses on sustainability as the new terminal building will be a green building designed to include renewable energy sources and maximizes natural lighting to reduce its environmental impact.

Cabinet Approves Development of New Civil Enclave at Bihta, Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 1,413 crore

The Cabinet Committte on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has also approved the proposal of AAI for development of New Civil Enclave at Bihta Airport in Patna, Bihar.

• The project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1413 crore.

Key Features:

i.The proposed new terminal building will span over an area of 66,000 km and is designed to handle 3,000 PHP.It will have the capacity to handle 5million passenger annually.

iiiThe project includes the construction of an Apron capable of accommodating 10 parking bays for A-321/B-737-800/A-320 type aircraft, as well as two link taxiways.

Cabinet Approves Critical Road Connectivity for Vadhavan Port to NH-48

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) announced that the union cabinet has approved a 32-km long road connecting the proposed Vadhavan Port in Palghar district, Maharashtra to the National Highway (NH)-48.

• The proposed Vadhvan Port will be developed by JNPA.

Key Points:

i.Land Acquisition Committee (LAC) of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved road connectivity for Vadhvan Port from NH-48  and authorised the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to make relevant decisions.

ii.The official notification for land acquisition will start after MoRTH declares the road as National Highway.

• On 12th August 2024, the gazette notification of the government has issued a declaration of NH from NH-48 (Tawa Junction) to Vadhvan Port.

About Vadhavan Port:

i.On 19th June 2024, the union cabinet approved the development of India’s 13th Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Palghar district, Maharashtra.

ii.It will be an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port and will be developed at a cost of Rs 76,200 crore.

iii.It will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by JNPA and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a shareholding of 74% and 26% respectively.