The Modi Cabinet has given the green light to several major infrastructure projects, including metro network expansions in Bengaluru, Thane, and Pune, along with significant upgrades to airports in Bihar and West Bengal.
In Bengaluru, the Cabinet approved Phase-3 of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, with an investment of Rs. 15,611 crore. This phase will introduce two elevated corridors spanning 44.65 km and 31 stations, aiming to enhance connectivity and alleviate traffic congestion. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, expanding Bengaluru’s metro network to 220.20 km, making it one of India’s largest urban transit systems.
Thane is set to develop a 29-km Ring Metro Rail Project with 22 stations at a cost of Rs. 12,200 crore. Scheduled to be operational by 2029, this project is designed to reduce road traffic congestion and provide a sustainable transportation alternative. The estimated daily ridership is projected to reach 6.47 lakh passengers by 2029, increasing to 8.72 lakh by 2045.
In Pune, the metro network will be extended southward with the Swargate to Katraj underground line, a 5.46 km stretch costing Rs. 2,954.53 crore. This extension will include three underground stations, improving connectivity in Pune’s southern regions and easing traffic congestion. The expected daily ridership by 2057 is 1.97 lakh passengers.
The Cabinet also approved significant upgrades for airports in Bihar and West Bengal. A new civil enclave at Bihta in Bihar will be developed with an investment of Rs. 1,413 crore, featuring an integrated terminal designed to handle 3,000 peak-hour passengers, with an annual capacity of 50 lakh passengers, expandable to one crore.
Additionally, Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal will see the construction of a new terminal covering 70,390 sqm, designed to accommodate 10 million passengers annually, with a budget of Rs. 1,549 crore. The terminal will focus on sustainability through green building design and renewable energy use.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Rammohan Naidu emphasized the importance of these projects, which collectively represent an investment of ₹2,962 crore. He noted that these developments are vital for improving regional connectivity and meeting the increasing demand for air travel across India. Since June, the Modi-led government has approved projects worth over Rs. 2 lakh crore.
