Page 9 - NIS English 1-15 June, 2026

UNION CABINET DECISIONS

DECISION: Cabinet clears upgradation
of Nagpur International Airport
IMPACT: This marks a significant milestone in
the journey of Nagpur Airport towards becoming
a regional aviation hub under the Multi-modal
International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur
(MIHAN) project. Leveraging private sector efficiency
combined with government oversight, the airport is
poised for substantial investment, modernisation, and
improved passenger and cargo services.
n Under a phased development plan, its ultimate
capacity is projected to reach 30 million passengers
per annum, thereby establishing it as one of the
premier airports in Central India.
n This transformation will not only enhance
connectivity within the Vidarbha region but also
bolster its economic infrastructure. It is also
expected to lead to a significant increase in cargo
handling capacity. Scan the QR code to watch the press
briefing on the Cabinet decisions.

comfortable and enabling same-day return journeys.
located near the source, with an outlay of
₹37,500 crore. n This semi-high-speed railway will bring people living
IMPACT: This scheme represents a major stride hundreds of KM apart in different cities closer
together.
towards accelerating India’s coal/lignite gasification
programme and advancing the national target of
gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by the year 2030. DECISION: Approved the “Cotton Productivity
n Furthermore, it will aid in strengthening energy Mission” with an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore,
security and reducing import dependency on key aimed at achieving self-reliance in the cotton
products such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), sector and enhancing competitiveness in global
of which over 50% is currently imported; Urea textile markets by 2030-31.
(20% imported); Ammonia (100% imported); and IMPACT: the mission aligns with the Government of
Methanol (80–90% imported).
India’s ‘5F’ vision (farm to fibre to factory to fashion
to foreign).
DECISION: Approved a new project covering the n The mission focuses on enhancing cotton
Ahmedabad District in Gujarat productivity through the development of high-
IMPACT: This will result in an addition of approxi- yielding variety (HYV) seeds resistant to disease
mately 134 kilometres to the existing network of and pests; scaling up of existing and latest crop
Indian Railways. The total estimated cost of this production technologies through state governments,
project is approximately ₹20,667 crore, and it is Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and State Agricultural
Universities (SAUs) through large-scale promotion
scheduled to be completed by 2030-31. and adoption of latest crop production technologies;
n This project section will establish improved ensuring a least contaminated cotton supply to
connectivity between Ahmedabad, Dholera SIR, the industry; and promoting high-quality cotton exports
upcoming Dholera Airport, and the Lothal National with a focus on the following major aspects.
Maritime Heritage Complex. n Additionally, the mission aims to ensure the least
n Connecting Ahmedabad to Dholera will reduce travel contaminated cotton supply to industry and promote
time for passengers, making daily commuting more high-quality cotton exports. n

June 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 7