2 Rail Projects, Space Sector Funding Get Govt Nod
2 Rail Projects, Space Sector Funding Get Govt Nod ( Representational Image)
Major rail infrastructure upgrades and space startup support to boost India’s connectivity and innovation.
The Union Cabinet has approved two significant rail projects and a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund for space-sector startups. A key project includes the construction of a new railway line connecting Amravati, the proposed new capital of Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of ₹2,245 crore. The 57 kilometre line, expected to be completed in five years, will link Amravati with key cities across India, improving connectivity for approximately 1.2 million people in 168 villages. The project will also establish nine new stations along the route.
The second rail project, in northern Bihar, involves doubling the Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur sections, spanning 256 km. This multi-tracking initiative will enhance connections between two aspirational districts, Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur, benefiting 388 villages with a population of around 900,000. Both rail projects are expected to generate approximately 1 million human-days of employment.
In the space sector, the Cabinet approved a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund to support about 40 startups, accelerating growth in India’s private space industry. The fund, managed by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), will provide startups with funding between ₹10-60 crore, depending on their growth stage and potential impact. The initiative is set to boost employment and innovation across the space supply chain, with annual allocations planned from 2025-2029.
