Page 43 - NIS English 16-31 Jan, 2026

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briefing on the Cabinet decisions.
Union Cabinet Decisions

Delhi Metro to be Expanded

Key Infra Projects Cleared in Maharashtra & Odisha

Infrastructure and connectivity have been a crucial part of the country’s development, and the
central government is continuously accelerating its progress. In this regard, the Union Cabinet,
chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the expansion of the Delhi Metro as a New
Year’s gift. Along with this, major infrastructure proposals for Maharashtra and Odisha have
also been approved. This move by the central government will not only improve connectivity
across the country but will also make the daily commute easier for millions of people.

DECISION: Approval of three new corridors as shoulders, under the Engineering, Procurement,
part of the Delhi Metro Phase-V (A) project. and Construction (EPC) project delivery method.
IMPACT: This 16.076 km-long project will further IMPACT: The upgrade of NH-326 will make travel
improve connectivity within the national capital. The faster, safer, and more reliable. This will contribute
total cost of Delhi Metro Phase-V (A) is ₹12014.91 crore. to the overall development of southern Odisha,
particularly benefiting the districts of Gajapati,
Three New Corridors:
1. R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.913 km) Rayagada, and Koraput. Improved road connectivity
2. Aerocity to IGD Airport T-1 (2.263 km) will facilitate easier access to local communities,
3. Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km) industries, educational institutions, tourist centres,
markets, and healthcare services, and will also
n It will provide connectivity to all the government create employment opportunities. This will contrib-
buildings in the Central Vista corridor, making it ute to the inclusive development of the region. The
easier for office-goers and visitors in the area. total capital cost of this project is ₹1,526.21 crore.
n Approximately 60,000 office-going employees
and 2 lakh visitors are expected to benefit daily. DECISION: Approval of the project for the
n These corridors will further reduce pollution and construction of a 6-lane Greenfield Access-Con-
the use of fossil fuels, thereby improving the trolled Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot Corridor in
quality of life. Maharashtra on a BOT basis.
n Currently, the Delhi Metro serves an average of IMPACT: The project will be 374 km long and will
6.5 million passengers daily. Today, the Delhi involve an investment of approximately ₹19,142
Metro has the largest metro network in India and crore. This project will connect important regional
is also one of the largest metros in the world. cities like Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur to
Kurnool. The project will generate approximately
251.06 lakh man-days of direct employment and
DECISION: Approval of the proposal for widening 313.83 lakh man-days of indirect employment. In
and strengthening the existing 2-lane road from
kilometre 68.600 to 311.700 of NH-326 in Odisha, addition, further employment opportunities will be
created due to increased economic activity in the
converting it into a 2-lane road with paved
area surrounding the proposed corridor. n

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