National 19 August 2026
Union Cabinet Approves 5 Rail & Road Projects Worth ₹13,041 Crore
Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved five key infrastructure projects—comprising four railway multi-tracking projects and one highway project—with a total capital outlay of ₹13,041 crore. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key Features / Major Points:
Four Railway Multi-Tracking Projects:
Outlay & Deadline: Estimated cost of ₹9,450 crore, scheduled for completion by 2030-31.
Network Addition: Adds 410 km to the Indian Railways network across 8 districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Approved Routes:
Kharagpur – Bhadrak 4th Line
Bhadrak – Haridaspur 4th Line
Gummidipundi – Gudur 3rd & 4th Line
Cuttack – Paradeep 3rd & 4th Line
Highway Project in Bihar (NH-22):
Upgradation: Upgradation of the Muzaffarpur – Sitamarhi – Sonbarsa section of NH-22 to 4-lane standards.
Length & Execution Mode: Spanning 82.57 km, it will be built under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a capital cost of over ₹3,590 crore.
Static GK Facts:
Indian Railways Profile:
First Train in India: Ran on April 16, 1853 (between Bori Bunder, Mumbai and Thane).
Zones: Indian Railways is divided into 19 zones.
Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM):
Concept: A mix of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models where the government funds 40% of the project cost in installments and the private developer arranges the remaining 60%.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
What is the total estimated cost of the four railway multi-tracking projects approved by the Cabinet?
Answer: ₹9,450 crore
Which National Highway in Bihar is set to be upgraded to a 4-lane standard under the newly approved projects?
Answer: NH-22 (Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa section)