The Union Cabinet today approved six infrastructure projects worth ₹8.8 lakh crore, covering Jal Jeewan Mission, highways, and railways. "The Cabinet has approved six projects worth ₹8.8 lakh crore today. The biggest announcement pertains to the extension of Jal Jeewan Mission," said Union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while in a press conference on Cabinet decisions. 

Railway infrastructure projects

It has also approved two railway infrastructure projects with a total estimated cost of about ₹4,474 crore. The projects, proposed by the Ministry of Railways, include the construction of the fourth rail line on the Sainthia–Pakur section and the Santragachi–Kharagpur section. 

According to an official statement, the additional lines are expected to significantly enhance line capacity, improving mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. The multi-tracking projects aim to streamline train operations and ease congestion on these key routes. 

International status for Madurai airport

In a separate decision, the Union Cabinet also approved the declaration of Madurai Airport as an international airport. 

Located in the temple city of Madurai, the airport is among the oldest aviation facilities in the state and serves as an important gateway to southern Tamil Nadu. 

Granting international status to the airport is expected to enhance regional connectivity, boost trade and tourism, and support economic development in the region. Officials said the move could also help attract international pilgrims and business travellers, given Madurai’s historical and religious significance.  

Four-lane road corridor

The Cabinet has approved the development of a four-lane corridor from Badnawar-Petlawad-Thandla-Timarwani section of NH-752D having a length of 80.45 km with a total capital cost of ₹3,839.42 crore. The approved corridor will provide connectivity of Ujjain to Timrawani interchange at Delhi Mumbai Expressway.

Jal Jeewan Mission 2.0

The Jal Jeewan Mission 2.0 has been approved at a cost of ₹8.7 lakh crore. "The second decision was declaration of Madurai airport as an international airport. Elevated road connecting Jewar airport (Faridabad section) has also been approved by the Cabinet," Vaishnaw said.

"For restructuring JJM focussing on structural reforms, Cabinet has approved enhancement of total outlay to ₹8.69 lakh crore with total central assistance of ₹3.59 lakh crore enhancing from ₹2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019-20 i.e. additional central share of ₹1.51 lakh crore," the government said in a release. 

"From the baseline of 3.23 crore (17%) rural households with tap water connections in 2019, so far, more than 12.56 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM," it added. 

"At present, out of 19.36 crore rural households identified by the States/UTs in the country, around 15.80 crore (81.61%) households are reported to have tap water connections as on date," the release said.