Centre paves way for 8 new railway lines, PMAY-U 2.0
- The Union Cabinet approved eight new railway projects
Highlights:
- These eight new railway projects at an estimated cost of ₹24,657 crore have been approved to provide connectivity, facilitate ease of travelling, minimise logistics costs, reduce oil imports and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
- Expected to be completed by 2030-31, the projects cover 14 districts in the seven States of Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana and West Bengal, which will increase the existing network of the railways by 900 km.
- The Cabinet also approved the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 under which financial assistance will be provided to one crore urban poor and middle-class families to construct, purchase or rent a house at affordable cost.
- Under PMAY-U, 1.18 crore houses have been sanctioned while more than 85.5 lakh houses have already been constructed.
- The Cabinet gave its nod for the Clean Plant Programme (CPP), an initiative proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture to provide virus-free, high-quality planting material to farmers.
- The Centre said the move would lead to increased crop yield and improved income opportunities for farmers.
- “The programme will prioritise affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of their landholding size or socioeconomic status.
- The programme will actively engage women farmers in its planning and implementation, ensuring their access to resources, training and decision-making opportunities.
Prelims Takeaway
- PMAY-U