The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Friday gave its nod to eight railway projects that the government said would provide connectivity, facilitate ease of travelling, reduce oil imports and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposed projects will improve logistical efficiency by connecting the unconnected areas and enhancing transportation networks, resulting in streamlined supply chains and accelerated economic growth.

The total estimated cost of the projects is ₹24,657 crore. The cabinet approved the rural housing scheme for 2024-25 to 2028-29.

The Centre will offer financial assistance for the construction of two crore more houses at existing unit assistance of ₹1.20 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.30 lakh in the North East and Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.