On 10th March 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, approved several major policy and infrastructure decisions spanning water supply, railways, highways, and aviation infrastructure. These decisions are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving infrastructure, and accelerating economic development across multiple states.
I. Declaration Of Madurai Airport As An International Airport
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has approved the proposal to declare Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an International Airport.
Madurai Airport, situated in the historic temple city of Madurai, is among the oldest airports in the state. It functions as a key aviation hub for Southern Tamil Nadu and plays an important role in facilitating tourism and pilgrimage, contributing significantly to the region’s economic development.
Granting international status to Madurai Airport is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, boosttrade and tourism, and accelerate economicgrowth in the region. The move will also help attract international pilgrims and business travellers, in line with Madurai’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance.
II. Extension Of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Up To 2028
Union Cabinet approved extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) till December 2028 with a restructured implementation framework called JJM 2.0
Total outlay increased to ₹ 8.69 lakh crore, with Central assistance raised to ₹ 3.59 lakh crore (an increase of ₹ 1.51 lakh crore from the earlier allocation).
The mission will shift focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery, ensuring long-term rural drinking water supply systems.
A national digital framework, “Sujalam Bharat”, will be introduced to digitally map water supply systems and assign each village a unique “Sujal Gaon / Service Area ID.”
Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will play a greater role through “JalArpan” for certification and handover of completed water schemes.
Villages will celebrate “Jal Utsav” annually to promote community participation and ensure maintenance of water infrastructure.
Tap water coverage increased from 3.23 crore rural households (17%) in 2019 to about 15.8 crore households (81.6%) currently.
The programme aims to provide tap water connections to all 19.36 crore rural households by December 2028
III. Railway Multitracking Projects In West Bengal And Jharkhand
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two railway multitracking projects with a total cost of ₹ 4,474 crore.
The projects include:
Sainthia–Pakur 4th railway line
Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th railway line.
These projects will increase the Indian Railways network by about 192 km across 5 districts in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
The expansion will enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and improve operational efficiency and service reliability of the railway network.
Around 5,652 villages with a population of about 1.47 crore will benefit from improved connectivity.
The projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Rail connectivity to major tourist destinations such as Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Tarapith, Nandikeshwari Temple, and Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary will improve.
The routes are crucial for freight transport (coal, cement, steel, foodgrains, etc.) and will enable additional freight capacity of 31 MTPA.
Environmental benefits include a reduction of oil imports by about 6 crore litres and CO₂ emissions by 28 crore kg, equivalent to planting 1 crore trees.
The projects are targeted for completion by 2030-31.
IV. Greenfield Connectivity to Jewar International Airport
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, has approved the revised capital cost of ₹ 3,630.77 crore for the construction of a Greenfield Connectivity corridor linking Jewar International Airport with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway via the Delhi–Faridabad–Ballabhgarh–Sohna spur, under the Hybrid Annuity Mode in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
The 31.42 km corridor will provide direct high-speed connectivity from South Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurugram to Jewar International Airport, improving logistics and economic activity across the National Capital Region.
The corridor will intersect the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, and the Dedicated Freight Corridor, enabling multimodal connectivity and unlocking the full potential of the Jewar Airport–Delhi–Mumbai Expressway corridor, while supporting sustainable urban development in Faridabad.
About 11 km of the project will be developed as an elevated highway, forming a key link between the DND–Ballabhgarh Bypass and Jewar International Airport, while connecting to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. The corridor passes through areas planned for high-density development under the Faridabad Master Plan 2031.
The additional cost of the elevated section is ₹ 689.24 crore, of which the Government of Haryana will contribute ₹ 450 crore.
V. 4-Laning of Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla–Timarwani Highway (NH-752D)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the construction of a 4-lane corridor on NH-752D from Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla–Timarwani in Madhya Pradesh.
The project will cover 80.45 km with a total capital cost of ₹ 3,839.42 crore. It will provide direct connectivity from Ujjain to the Timarwani interchange on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (DME).
Upgradation will improve road geometry and enable vehicle speeds of 80–100 kmph, reducing travel time by about 1 hour. The corridor is the shortest route connecting Gujarat and Maharashtra to Ujjain, improving interstate traffic movement. It will facilitate traffic during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 in Ujjain.
The project passes through tribal regions of Dhar and Jhabua districts, supporting regional infrastructure and economic development.
It will improve connectivity to industrial hubs like Indore, Pithampur, Ujjain and Dewas, reducing logistics costs and boosting trade.
The project includes 6 major bridges, 34 minor bridges, and multiple underpasses, with a 24-month construction period under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).