Cabinet allocates Rs 632.46 billion to Chennai Metro Phase II

04 Oct 2024 CW Team

The Union Cabinet has approved the second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, allocating Rs 632.46 billion for its development. Phase II will feature three corridors spanning 118.9 kilometers, covering 128 stations, according to an official statement.

Additionally, the Cabinet has sanctioned a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of Rs 20.28 billion for 78 days to 117.2 million railway employees. Alongside this, a revised Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) scheme for major port and dock labour board employees has also been approved.

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasised the need for expanded infrastructure in Chennai, noting that the city's population is projected to rise to 18 million by 2048, up from 12 million in 2026. The new metro corridors will connect the North-South and East-West parts of Chennai, bringing the total metro network to 173 km once Phase II is complete.

Regarding the PLB for railway employees, the maximum bonus payable is Rs 17,951 for 78 days, benefiting Group C staff including track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers, station masters, supervisors, technicians, helpers, pointsmen, and ministerial staff. The disbursement is expected before the upcoming Durga Puja or Dusshera holidays.

The modified PLR scheme for port workers, valid from 2020-21 to 2025-26, aligns with an agreement between the Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee and the Indian Port Association. The scheme aims to enhance efficiency and competitiveness among major ports.

The Cabinet also approved India's entry into the International Energy Efficiency Hub, positioning the country alongside other major members such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, and Japan. (ET)

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..