New Delhi

The Modi government has rolled out infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 5 lakh crore during its third term, spanning airports, ports, highways and railways, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.

Briefing the media after a Cabinet meeting, Vaishnaw said the approvals reflect the government’s focus on strengthening connectivity, boosting logistics efficiency and supporting long-term economic growth.

In the aviation sector, the Cabinet approved airport development projects at Bagdogra, Bihta, Varanasi and Kota, with a total investment of Rs 7,339 crore. The projects aim to enhance regional air connectivity and passenger capacity.

In ports and shipping, the government cleared the construction of a major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra, along with shipbuilding and maritime development reforms, involving a total outlay of Rs 1,45,945 crore. Vaishnaw said the initiatives would significantly augment India’s maritime capacity and logistics competitiveness.

The highways sector accounted for the highest investment at Rs 1,97,644 crore. Approved projects include eight National High-Speed Road corridors spanning 936 km, expansion under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and strategic road development in border areas of Punjab and Rajasthan.

Key road projects include the Patna–Arrah–Sasaram corridor, Zirakpur bypass, Shillong–Silchar corridor, six-lane connectivity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), and multiple four- and six-lane projects across Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar and Assam, including ring roads in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

In the railways sector, the Cabinet approved 43 projects covering 5,869 km of new lines and multi-tracking works, with an investment of Rs 1,52,583 crore. The projects are expected to ease congestion, improve freight movement and enhance passenger services.

Vaishnaw said the infrastructure push in the government’s third term underscores its commitment to building world-class connectivity, generating employment and sustaining economic momentum.

READ MORE: India has made Christmas carols its own over time

The Cabinet has also approved the Delhi Metro Rail Project Phase-IV A, under which 13 new stations — 10 underground and three elevated — will be constructed over a period of three years.