Govt is lining up a major infrastructure push before the model code of conduct kicks in with both shipping and road ministries sending proposals for projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crore for approval by the Union Cabinet.
It has learnt that the next Cabinet meeting is scheduled on Thursday and there may be one more next week before the poll dates are announced.
An inter-ministerial committee for appraisal of projects with private investment has cleared the proposal for development of the country’s 13th major port (owned by central govt) at Vadhavan in Maharashtra with an investment of Rs 76,000 crore, sources said. It has also approved seven major highway projects with a cumulative cost of over Rs 30,000 crore.
The projects that have been sent to Cabinet for approval include Ayodhya Ring Road, Guwahati Ring Road, six-lane AgraGwalior greenfield highway and Kharagpur-Siliguri highway stretch. Each infrastructure project with investment of over Rs 1,000 crore and to be taken up through public private participation needs a green light from the inter-ministerial panel before being placed before Cabinet.
The railway ministry has also completed inter-ministerial consultation for the Rs 4 lakh crore Amrit Chaturbhuj plan to decongest major corridors which will upgrade the network for introduction of faster passenger trains and quicker movement of goods.