The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a major extension of the Pune Metro, while the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared two additional railway projects. Together, the three initiatives carry an outlay of around Rs 130 billion.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said approval has been granted for Line 4 (Kharadi–Hadapsar–Swargate–Khadakwasla) and Line 4A (Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug) under Phase 2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project, at a total cost of Rs 98.58 billion. This follows the earlier sanction of Line 2A (Vanaz–Chandani Chowk) and Line 2B (Ramwadi–Wagholi/Vitthalwadi).

With this latest approval, Pune Metro’s network will expand beyond the 100 km milestone, marking a significant step in developing a modern and integrated urban transit system.

Together spanning 31.636 km and comprising 28 elevated stations, Lines 4 and 4A will link key IT hubs, commercial districts, educational institutions and residential zones across eastern, southern and western Pune. The project, to be completed within five years, will be jointly funded by the Government of India, the Maharashtra Government and bilateral/multilateral agencies.

Meanwhile, the CCEA approved two additional railway works — doubling of the Dwarka–Kanalus line in Gujarat and construction of the third and fourth lines between Badlapur and Karjat in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region — with a combined outlay of Rs 27.81 billion.

Vaishnaw said that doubling the Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha)–Kanalus line will enhance connectivity to the Dwarkadhish temple, an important pilgrimage site, while improving transportation of coal, salt, cement and container freight. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate an additional 18 million tonnes per annum of freight movement.

The Badlapur–Karjat project, part of the Mumbai suburban corridor, will ease congestion, improve regional connectivity and meet future passenger demand, including links to southern India. According to the government, increased line capacity will significantly enhance operational efficiency and service reliability.

Together, the two railway projects will expand the Indian Railways network by 224 km and improve connectivity for around 585 villages, home to nearly 3.2 million people. The government added that the approved works are set to streamline operations, reduce congestion and improve seamless movement of people, goods and services.