On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet made several key decisions aimed at improving India’s infrastructure, healthcare, and renewable energy capabilities. These decisions include an extensive rural road project, expansion of health insurance coverage for senior citizens, and significant investments in renewable energy and weather forecasting technology. Here’s a breakdown of the five major initiatives:
1. Connecting India’s Remote Villages
One of the biggest decisions was the allocation of ₹70,125 crore for the next phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). This project focuses on connecting some of the most remote and unconnected villages across the country. Over 62,500 kilometers of new roads will be constructed, linking more than 25,000 habitations that have yet to be connected by roads.
The project is expected to generate 40 crore person-days of employment, giving a major boost to rural economies. The PMGSY has already built 7.66 lakh kilometers of roads, and this phase will extend infrastructure to new habitations formed due to population growth. Planning will be guided by the Gati Shakti Portal, ensuring optimized road alignment.
2. Ayushman Bharat Expands Health Insurance for Seniors
In a move to extend healthcare coverage, the Cabinet approved the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme to include citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income level. Previously, the scheme focused on providing coverage to the poorest 40% of households. Now, with an initial budget of ₹3,437 crore, all senior citizens will be eligible for insurance coverage up to ₹5 lakh per year.
This expansion is set to benefit millions of senior citizens, providing them access to quality healthcare without financial strain.
3. Boosting Renewable Energy with Hydropower Investments
To meet its ambitious renewable energy targets, the government approved a ₹12,461 crore plan aimed at strengthening the country’s hydropower infrastructure. India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, and this investment will play a crucial role in achieving that goal.
The plan includes investments in essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and communication networks to unlock India’s potential to generate 133 GW of hydroelectric power.
4. Accelerating Electric Vehicle Adoption with PM E-Drive
The Cabinet also gave a green light to a ₹10,900 crore plan to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) under the PM E-Drive initiative. This initiative will focus on enhancing EV charging infrastructure, especially in urban areas, and expanding the use of electric buses across 169 cities.
With more than 16 lakh EVs already supported under previous schemes, this new phase aims to introduce 38,000 e-buses and increase EV penetration across the country, pushing India toward greener transportation solutions.
5. Mission Mausam: Modernizing Weather Forecasting
To enhance weather prediction accuracy, particularly for agricultural needs, the Cabinet approved the ₹2,000 crore Mission Mausam initiative. This plan aims to modernize India’s weather forecasting capabilities using advanced technologies such as AI-driven data models, new radars, and next-generation satellite systems.
By improving real-time weather forecasting, the initiative seeks to offer more accurate predictions, helping farmers and other stakeholders plan better and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
These Cabinet decisions mark significant strides in India’s efforts to boost infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy, and technology, ensuring sustainable growth and better public services.
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