2 new airport facilities, 3 metro rail projects get Union Cabinet nod

The Union Cabinet of India, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved major infrastructure projects. Key approvals include:

1. Airport Projects:

• New Civil Enclave at Bihta, Patna, Bihar with an estimated cost of ₹1,413 crore. It will ease capacity issues at Patna Airport.
• New terminal at Bagdogra Airport, West Bengal costing ₹1,549 crore, designed to handle 10 million passengers annually.

1. Metro Rail Projects:

• Bangalore Metro Phase 3: Two elevated corridors totaling 44.65 km, with 31 stations.
• Thane Integral Ring Metro Project: A 29-km corridor with 22 stations, expected to enhance Thane's connectivity and reduce congestion.
• Pune Metro Line Extension: A 5.46-km underground extension from Swargate to Katraj, including three new stations.

These projects, aimed at improving transportation infrastructure, involve significant investment and are expected to enhance connectivity and economic growth across India.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-metro-projects-2-new-airport-facilities-get-union-cabinet-nod-101723820305663.html

Mains Question: What are key infrastructure projects approved by cabinet in the session of 2024-2025

Centre approves senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle, appointments

A significant senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle and new appointments approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) in India. Key details include:

1. Vivek Joshi (IAS) of the Haryana cadre, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training.
2. Rajesh Kumar Singh (IAS) of the Kerala cadre, currently Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, is appointed as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Defence and will later become Secretary of the Department of Defence.
3. Various other senior IAS officers have been assigned new roles across different departments and ministries, including Housing and Urban Affairs, Corporate Affairs, Minority Affairs, and Defence Production, among others.
4. The reshuffle also includes the appointment of new Secretaries for key departments such as Drinking Water and Sanitation, New and Renewable Energy, and Financial Services. Some officials have been promoted to the level of Special Secretary.

The changes are set to take effect on various dates through the end of October 2024, aligning with the superannuation of current officials.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-effects-major-secretary-level-reshuffle/article68533725.ece

Prelims Question:

1. Who is the current Secretary of Department of Financial Services
2. Who is appointed as the Secretary of Department of Defence