On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved major infrastructure projects worth over ₹7,000 crore to accelerate infrastructure development in the country. These projects include the extension of a national highway in Andhra Pradesh and two key railway multi-tracking projects in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The approved road project involves the construction of a new four-lane, 108-kilometer stretch of the Badvel-Nellore highway in Andhra Pradesh along National Highway 67. This project aims to improve road connectivity to the Krishnapatnam Port, a key maritime hub in Andhra Pradesh. It will also connect important nodes in three major industrial corridors: the Kopparthy node on the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, the Orvakal node on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, and the Krishnapatnam node on the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that this highway project would be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He added that this new corridor will significantly reduce the distance to Krishnapatnam Port by approximately 40 kilometers compared to the existing route, thereby saving almost one hour of travel time. The improved connectivity is expected to boost trade, logistics, and overall industrial development in the region.

In addition to the highway project, the Cabinet also approved two major railway multi-tracking projects. These include the construction of the third and fourth railway lines on the Ratlam-Nagda route and a fourth line on the Wardha-Balharshah route. These railway corridors pass through four districts in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and are crucial for easing congestion on India’s East-West and North-South railway networks.

According to Minister Vaishnaw, the multi-tracking of these routes will eliminate current bottlenecks, especially for trains heading toward Mumbai, one of India’s busiest transport hubs. With the addition of extra lines, track capacity will be significantly enhanced, allowing for more frequent movement of passenger and freight trains. This is expected to reduce delays and increase efficiency in rail transport across these vital corridors.

Vaishnaw highlighted that these infrastructure projects are part of a broader strategy to modernize India's transport sector. He noted that projects worth more than ₹4.5 lakh crore have been approved in the transport and infrastructure sectors during the third term of the Narendra Modi government. These initiatives are aimed at boosting connectivity, enhancing logistics, and supporting industrial and economic growth across various regions of the country.

In summary, the Cabinet’s approval of the ₹7,000 crore infrastructure package reflects the government’s focus on strengthening road and rail connectivity. The Badvel-Nellore highway and the multi-tracking of key railway routes are expected to streamline transport, reduce congestion, support industrial corridors, and drive economic development, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.