Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme for Development of Intra-State Transmission System with Battery Energy Storage Systems
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme. This historic initiative will strengthen India’s Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) to enable evacuation of up to 135 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy across States/ Union Territories.
The scheme also provides for deployment of 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at the Renewable Energy (RE) developer/generator end or any other location of importance for grid flexibility to address intermittency, congestion, peak-hour curtailment and meet non-solar hour demand. The scheme will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation with in the States/UTs of India.
The scheme is targeted to be set up by FY 2032-33 with total project outlay of Rs.1,86,405 crore, comprising Rs.1,36,378 crore for the development of Intra-State Transmission Systems (InSTS) under GEC-III, Rs.50,000 crore for 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The Scheme involves a total Central Financial Support of Rs.54,082 crore. The Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will help in offsetting the Intra-State transmission charges and thus keep the power costs down. Thus, the Government support will ultimately benefit the end users – the citizens of India.
All Greenfield projects under the InSTS component will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode, while brownfield upgradation and network strengthening works will be executed under Cost Plus Basis (CPB). The State Transmission Utilities will be the overall implementing agency, and Transmission Service Providers (TSPs) will participate under TBCB on a Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) model.
The scheme will help in achieving the target of 900 GW installed Non-Fossil capacity by 2035. The scheme will also contribute to long term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint. It will generate large direct & indirect employment in the power sector, manufacturing, and construction industries. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing and deployment will additionally generate employment in the domestic energy storage industry. The scheme will also generate long-term skilled employment in operation, maintenance, and grid management across participating States.
Cabinet approves One Network, Smarter Traffic: Delhi Moves to Real-Time Traffic Management
Rs.1,789.52 crore approved for Intelligent Traffic Management System for Delhi
AI-enabled adaptive traffic signals, technology-based enforcement and real-time traffic information to make travel safer, smoother and more efficient 42 traffic corridors of Delhi to be covered in three phases
System to facilitate priority movement of ambulances and quicker response to congestion and road incidents
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved implementation of the ITMS Project by Delhi Police at an estimated cost of Rs.1,789.52 crore, inclusive of taxes. The project will cover 42 identified traffic corridors and will be implemented in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance.
As part of the wider efforts of the Central Government and the Government of NCT of Delhi to improve traffic management, transport infrastructure and urban mobility in the National Capital, a major technology-led initiative will now be taken up through the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). The project will enable Delhi’s existing road network to be managed more intelligently through real-time traffic data, adaptive traffic signals, automated enforcement and integrated command-and-control systems.
Delhi has around 71 lakh active registered vehicles. Vehicular growth has substantially outpaced expansion of road infrastructure, while traffic regulation continues to depend significantly on fixed signal timings and manual intervention. The ITMS seeks to make better use of the available road capacity by enabling traffic management to respond dynamically to actual conditions on the road.
Benefits:
- Smarter traffic signals and smoother movement: Adaptive Traffic Control Systems will dynamically adjust signal timings according to prevailing traffic conditions and coordinate signals along identified corridors, helping reduce avoidable stoppages and delays.
- Priority for ambulances and emergency vehicles: The system will facilitate green corridors and priority movement for emergency vehicles, enabling faster passage through congested stretches.
- Faster response to congestion and accidents: Real-time detection of congestion, slow-moving traffic and road incidents will enable quicker diversions and operational response by Delhi Police.
- Timely information for commuters: Variable Message Sign boards and digital platforms will provide information on congestion, diversions, parking availability and traffic conditions. Information may also be shared with navigation service providers, helping commuters make better travel choices.
- More consistent and technology-based enforcement: The system will strengthen automated detection of violations such as red-light and stop-line violations, speeding, wrong-way driving, non-use of helmets and seat belts, illegal parking and use of mobile phones while driving. AI-based analytics will also assist in identifying stolen, hot-listed and blacklisted vehicles, repeat violators and vehicles connected with hit-and-run incidents.
Integrated city-wide traffic management:
Traffic regulation, enforcement and information dissemination will be brought together on a common platform through Traffic Command and Control Centres, supported by secure Data Centre and Disaster Recovery infrastructure. The system will follow open standards and APIs to enable future integration and scalability.
The project will cover 1,092 Adaptive Traffic Control System and 1,029 enforcement locations. Implementation will be performance-driven, with each subsequent phase to be taken up after evaluation of the preceding phase against prescribed testing, commissioning, acceptance and performance parameters.
Delhi Police will implement the project through a Master System Integrator selected through competitive bidding. C-DAC will provide technical support as Project Management Consultant, including technical scrutiny, monitoring, validation and acceptance during implementation and operation and maintenance.
The ITMS will complement ongoing efforts to improve Delhi’s road and transport infrastructure by providing the technology and real-time intelligence required to use the existing road network more efficiently. The project is expected to contribute to smoother traffic movement, safer roads, quicker incident response, more effective enforcement and a more predictable travel experience for citizens.
Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28.
Government has increased the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The absolute highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs.675 per quintal followed by Rapeseed & Mustard at Rs.413 per quintal. For Lentil (Masur), barley, gram, and wheat, there is an increase of Rs.390 per quintal, Rs.136 per quintal, Rs.83 per quintal and Rs.25 per quintal respectively.
Minimum Support Prices for all Rabi crops for Marketing Season 2027-28
(Rs.per quintal)
| S. No. | Crops | MSP RMS 2027-28 | Cost* of Production RMS
2027-28 |
Margin over cost
(in percent) |
MSP RMS 2026-27 | Increase in MSP
(Absolute) |
| 1 | Wheat | 2610 | 1264 | 106 | 2585 | 25 |
| 2 | Barley | 2286 | 1447 | 58 | 2150 | 136 |
| 3 | Gram | 5958 | 3751 | 59 | 5875 | 83 |
| 4 | Lentil (Masur) | 7390 | 3854 | 92 | 7000 | 390 |
| 5 | Rapeseed & Mustard | 6613 | 3367 | 96 | 6200 | 413 |
| 6 | Safflower | 7215 | 4810 | 50 | 6540 | 675 |
*Refers to cost which includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour, bullock labour/machine labour, rent paid for leased in land, expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds, fertilizers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets etc., miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour.
The increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28 is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of the All-India weighted average Cost of Production. The expected margin over All-India weighted average cost of production is 106 percent for wheat, followed by 96 percent for rapeseed & mustard; 92 per cent for lentil; 59 per cent for gram; 58 percent for barley; and 50 percent for safflower. This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversification.
In the recent years, Government has been promoting the cultivation of crops, other than cereals such as pulses and oilseeds by offering a higher MSP for these crops.
The procurement of wheat during 2014-15 to 2025-26 has increased to 3715 LMT as compared to 2254 LMT during 2004-05 to 2013-14. The procurement of 6 Rabi crops during 2014-15 to 2025-26 has increased to 3921 LMT as compared to 2302 LMT during 2004-05 to 2013-14.
The MSP amount paid to Wheat growing famers during 2014-15 to 2025-26 has increased to Rs. 7.31 Lakh crore as compared to Rs.2.56 Lakh crore during 2004-05 to 2013-14. The MSP amount paid to 6 Rabi crops growing farmers during 2014-15 to 2025-26 has increased to Rs.8.36 Lakh crore as compared to Rs.2.65 Lakh crore during 2004-05 to 2013-14.