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Cabinet Approval for Key Infrastructure and Agricultural Projects
Green Signal for Growth: Cabinet Approves Strategic Infrastructure & Farm Reforms
Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has recently approved three major infrastructure and agriculture-linked projects amounting to over ₹4,800 crore.
About the Projects
- Construction of the Zirakpur Bypass in Punjab and Haryana
- Doubling of the Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi railway line in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
These approvals reflect the government’s focus on multimodal connectivity, regional decongestion, and climate-resilient agricultural systems under the PM Gati Shakti and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Road Infrastructure: Six-Lane Zirakpur Bypass
- Project Overview
- Length: 19.2 km
- Location: Punjab and Haryana
- Cost: ₹1,878.31 crore
- Mode of Implementation: Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) under NH(O) Scheme
- Strategic Importance
- Decongests heavily built-up Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula tri-city area
- Connects NH-7 (Zirakpur–Patiala) with NH-5 (Zirakpur–Parwanoo)
- Forms a critical component of ring road development under PM Gati Shakti
- Expected Outcomes
- Facilitates seamless traffic movement from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity to Himachal Pradesh
- Reduces travel time and enhances economic linkages across states
- Supports integrated infrastructure planning under the National Master Plan
Rail Infrastructure: Doubling of Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi Line
- Project Details
- Length: 104 km
- States Covered: Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Cost: ₹1,332 crore
- Network Extension: Adds ~113 km to Indian Railways
- Connectivity and Socio-Economic Significance
- Enhances access to religious hubs: Tirupati, Tirumala, Sri Kalahasti, Kanipakam, Chandragiri
- Benefits ~1.4 million people and 400 villages
- Facilitates movement of 4 million tonnes of additional freight annually
- Environmental and Economic Benefits
- Reduces oil imports by 4 crore litres annually
- Cuts CO₂ emissions by 20 crore kg, equivalent to planting 10 million trees
- Boosts freight and passenger mobility, fostering regional development
Agricultural Reform: Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM)
- Scheme Framework
- Outlay: ₹1,600 crore for FY 2025–26
- Sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
- Targets pilot projects in various agro-climatic zones through challenge-mode funding
- Key Components
- Develops pressurised underground piped irrigation systems up to 1 hectare
- Modernises existing canal-based irrigation infrastructure
- Promotes efficient irrigation water supply from source to farm gate
- Institutional and Sustainability Focus
- Introduction of Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS)
- Handholding and capacity building of WUS for five years
- Linkage with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS)
- Encourages youth participation through modern irrigation technologies
- Future Roadmap
- Based on pilot outcomes, to be scaled up as a National Plan starting April 2026, aligning with the 16th Finance Commission recommendations
- Aims to increase water use efficiency, crop productivity, and farmer income
