New Delhi: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Union Cabinet approved projects worth ₹1,60,504 crore at its final meeting in the historic South Block before passing a resolution to shift its functioning to the newly dedicated Seva Teerth complex.After nearly 95 years since its inauguration in 1931, the government is set to move out of South Block. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Seva Teerth to the nation on February 13.₹1.60 lakh crore approvalsAt its concluding session in South Block, the Cabinet cleared decisions spanning railways, road infrastructure, metro expansion, startup funding and urban development.Among the major approvals were:1.Kasara–Manmad 3rd and 4th railway line – ₹10,154 crore2.Delhi–Ambala 3rd and 4th railway line – ₹5,983 crore3.Ballari–Hosapete 3rd and 4th railway line – ₹2,372 crore4.Underwater road tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh (Assam) – ₹18,662 crore5.Urban Challenge Fund – ₹1,00,000 crore6.Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 – ₹10,000 croreThe Urban Challenge Fund will provide central assistance of ₹1 lakh crore, which the government said is expected to translate into projects worth more than ₹4 lakh crore through convergence and additional resource mobilisation.Rail multitracking projectsThe Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved three railway multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of ₹18,509 crore, targeted for completion by 2030–31.The projects — Kasara–Manmad, Delhi–Ambala and Ballari–Hosapete third and fourth lines — will cover 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka and increase the existing Indian Railways network by about 389 km.The projects are expected to generate about 265 lakh human-days of direct employment during construction and enable additional freight traffic of around 96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).According to the government, the enhanced capacity will improve operational efficiency, ease congestion and enhance service reliability. The capacity augmentation is also projected to reduce oil imports by approximately 22 crore litres and lower CO₂ emissions by around 111 crore kg, equivalent to plantation of about four crore trees.The multitracking projects will improve connectivity to nearly 3,902 villages with a population of around 97 lakh and enhance access to key tourist and pilgrimage destinations across the concerned states.Gohpur–Numaligarh tunnel and metro expansionThe Cabinet also approved the construction of a twin-tube underwater road and rail tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh in Assam, with a total project length of 34 km and an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore.In addition, the extension of the Noida Metro Aqua Line from Botanical Garden to Sector 142, with a length of 11.6 km, was approved at a cost of ₹2,254 crore. The project includes construction of eight new elevated stations and is to be implemented by the Noida Metro Rail Corporation Limited.With the next Cabinet meeting to be held at Seva Teerth, the government concludes its functioning from South Block, pairing the final session at the historic building with approvals amounting to ₹1.60 lakh crore.
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