Union Cabinet Approves Key Railway and Highway Projects to Ease Congestion:

On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved two significant infrastructure projects designed to reduce congestion and improve transportation efficiency in northern and southern India, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced.

Zirakpur Bypass Project to Boost Road Connectivity

One of the cleared projects involves the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Zirakpur bypass. Spanning 19.2 kilometers, the project is estimated to cost ₹1,878.31 crore. It will be developed in Punjab and Haryana under the hybrid annuity mode, combining public and private investment for road development.

Doubling of Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi Railway Line

The Cabinet also approved the doubling of the 104 km-long Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line. This critical railway stretch connects Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The upgrade, with an investment of ₹1,332 crore, is expected to ease rail traffic, reduce travel time, and improve passenger and freight movement across the southern corridor.

Infrastructure Push Continues

These projects are part of the government’s ongoing push to enhance multimodal transport infrastructure across India. By addressing bottlenecks and improving capacity, the initiatives aim to support regional development and economic activity.