<p>New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the proposal for the implementation of the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme in 275 technical institutions comprising 175 engineering institutions and 100 polytechnics.</p><p>Announcing this, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/ashwini-vaishnaw">Ashwini Vaishnaw</a> said that this was a central sector scheme with a total financial implication of Rs 4,200 crore for a period from 2025-26 to 2029-30.</p><p>Out of Rs 4,200 crore, there will be an external assistance of Rs 2,100 crore from the World Bank as a loan.</p>.PM-KISAN: Rs 15,127.88 cr disbursed to beneficiaries in Karnataka since FY20.<p>"An estimated 275 government and government-aided technical institutions are expected to be selected and supported under the scheme. This will include selected National Institutes of Technology (NITs), State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs).</p><p><strong>Highway project</strong></p><p>The minister also said that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved 4-laning of Marakkanam-Puducherry NH at cost of Rs 2,157 cr.</p><p>Currently, connectivity between Chennai, Puducherry Viluppuram and Nagapattinam is dependent on existing 2-lane National Highway 332A and associated state highways. This causes significant congestion due to high traffic volumes, especially in densely populated stretches and key towns along the corridor.</p><p>To address these challenges, the project will upgrade approximately 46 km of NH-332A from Marakkanam to Puducherry to a 4-lane configuration, an official statement said.</p><p>This will decongest the existing corridor, improve safety, and cater to the mobility needs of rapidly growing towns such as Chennai, Puducherry Viluppuram and Nagapattinam, it added.</p>
<p>New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the proposal for the implementation of the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme in 275 technical institutions comprising 175 engineering institutions and 100 polytechnics.</p><p>Announcing this, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/ashwini-vaishnaw">Ashwini Vaishnaw</a> said that this was a central sector scheme with a total financial implication of Rs 4,200 crore for a period from 2025-26 to 2029-30.</p><p>Out of Rs 4,200 crore, there will be an external assistance of Rs 2,100 crore from the World Bank as a loan.</p>.PM-KISAN: Rs 15,127.88 cr disbursed to beneficiaries in Karnataka since FY20.<p>"An estimated 275 government and government-aided technical institutions are expected to be selected and supported under the scheme. This will include selected National Institutes of Technology (NITs), State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs).</p><p><strong>Highway project</strong></p><p>The minister also said that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved 4-laning of Marakkanam-Puducherry NH at cost of Rs 2,157 cr.</p><p>Currently, connectivity between Chennai, Puducherry Viluppuram and Nagapattinam is dependent on existing 2-lane National Highway 332A and associated state highways. This causes significant congestion due to high traffic volumes, especially in densely populated stretches and key towns along the corridor.</p><p>To address these challenges, the project will upgrade approximately 46 km of NH-332A from Marakkanam to Puducherry to a 4-lane configuration, an official statement said.</p><p>This will decongest the existing corridor, improve safety, and cater to the mobility needs of rapidly growing towns such as Chennai, Puducherry Viluppuram and Nagapattinam, it added.</p>
