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K News Desktop- Many major decisions to the development of the country were taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Giving information after the meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the government has approved projects worth more than Rs 8.8 lakh crore. The largest share in these decisions has been kept for the expansion of the government’s ambitious scheme Jal Jeevan Mission.

The government has approved the second phase of Jal Jeevan Mission i.e. JMM 2.0. Under this, the total budget of the mission has been increased to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, in which the central government’s share will be Rs 3.59 lakh crore. This new phase aims to provide pure tap water to all 19.36 crore rural households in the country by December 2028. The government says that now this mission will not be limited to just laying pipelines, but its focus will also be on better service delivery and strong governance.

To further modernize the mission, a national digital framework named ‘Sujalam Bharat’ will be created. Under this, every village will be given a unique ‘Sujal Gaon ID’, through which the entire supply chain from the water source to the household tap can be tracked on the digital map. Apart from this, Gram Panchayats will also be given big responsibility. After completion of the work, the Gram Panchayats will issue certificates and declare themselves as ‘Har Ghar Jal’. To connect this mission with public participation, programs like ‘Jal Utsav’ will also be organized every year.

The government claims that the Jal Jeevan Mission has had a huge positive impact on the society. According to various reports, about 9 crore women have been relieved from the compulsion of carrying water from long distances, thereby saving about 5.5 crore hours every day. Due to availability of clean water, diseases like diarrhea have also reduced and it is estimated that the lives of about 4 lakh people will be saved every year. Along with this, this mission has also created new employment opportunities in rural areas.

The Union Cabinet has also taken a policy decision to declare the airport of the historical city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu as an international airport. Madurai is a major religious and cultural center of South India. With the airport getting international status, the movement of foreign tourists and pilgrims will be easier and local trade and exports are also expected to get strengthened. The government believes that this will develop Madurai as an important gateway globally.

Apart from this, many projects have also been approved to strengthen the railway and road network. In the railway sector, about Rs 4,400 crore will be spent to lay the fourth railway line between Santragachi-Kharagpur and Sainthia-Pakur sections. To improve road connectivity, four-laning of Badnawar-Thandla-Timarwani (NH-752D) road and elevated road connecting Jewar Airport to Faridabad has also been approved. The government says that these projects will improve connectivity in the country and give impetus to economic activities.