The Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for the period of 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of more than 2,584 crore for the installation of Small Hydro Power (SHP) Projects of an approximate capacity of 1500 MW. This is likely to bring in 15,000 crore rupees of investment in the small hydro sector, giving a boost to the clean energy initiative and investment in remote and rural areas and creating significant employment opportunities.
Briefing the media in New Delhi after the cabinet meeting yesterday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the scheme will also incentivise the states to prepare the detailed project report for about 200 projects to create a pipeline of small hydro projects in the future. The Union Cabinet also approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks with an allocation of 33,660 crore rupees.
In a significant step towards strengthening farmer welfare and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Cabinet approved MSP funding of over 1,718 crore rupees to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for the cotton season 2023-24. Moreover, the Cabinet also approved the construction of over 101 km long four-lane access-controlled National Highway 927 from Barabanki to Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh at a cost of more than 6,969 crore rupees.
