New Delhi, September 30 (APAC Media): The Union Cabinet has approved three major measures covering agriculture, renewable energy infrastructure, and urban mobility. The decisions include higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season, a Rs. 1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme, and a Rs. 1,789.52 crore technology-driven traffic management system for Delhi.Â
The measures are aimed at supporting farm incomes, strengthening power infrastructure, and improving traffic management.
Higher MSP Announced for All Six Rabi Crops
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved higher MSPs for all six mandated Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season. The government said the move is intended to ensure remunerative prices for farmers while encouraging crop diversification towards pulses and oilseeds.
Safflower received the highest MSP increase of Rs. 675 per quintal, taking its MSP to Rs. 7,215. Rapeseed and mustard saw an increase of Rs. 413 to Rs. 6,613 per quintal, while the MSP for lentil (masur) was raised by Rs. 390 to Rs. 7,390.
The MSP for gram has been increased by Rs. 83 to Rs. 5,958 per quintal. Barley received an increase of Rs. 136, taking its MSP to Rs. 2,286, while wheat saw a Rs. 25 increase to Rs. 2,610 per quintal.
According to the government, the revised MSPs are in line with the 2018-19 Budget commitment to fix MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
The expected margin over the cost of production is highest for wheat at 106%, followed by rapeseed and mustard at 96%, lentil at 92%, gram at 59%, barley at 58% and safflower at 50%. The government has also been using MSPs to encourage greater cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.
Rs. 1.86 Lakh Crore Green Energy Corridor-III
The Cabinet also approved the third phase of the Green Energy Corridor scheme, with a total outlay of Rs. 1,86,405 crore. The initiative will strengthen intra-state transmission networks and facilitate the evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy across states and Union Territories.
Targeted for completion by FY2032-33, the scheme includes Rs. 1,36,378 crore for intra-state transmission systems and Rs. 50,000 crore for deploying 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The Centre will provide financial support of Rs. 54,082 crore. According to the government, this assistance will help offset intra-state transmission charges and keep power costs lower for consumers.
The battery storage component is expected to improve grid flexibility by addressing renewable energy intermittency, transmission congestion, and peak-hour curtailment. It will also support electricity demand during non-solar hours.
Greenfield transmission projects will be implemented through tariff-based competitive bidding, while brownfield upgrades and network strengthening will follow a cost-plus model.
Delhi to Get Technology-Led Traffic Management System
The Cabinet has also approved a Rs. 1,789.52 crore Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for Delhi. The system will use real-time traffic data and technology to improve management of the city’s existing road network.
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.
The ITMS will deploy adaptive traffic signals capable of changing signal timings based on prevailing traffic conditions. It will also coordinate signals along identified corridors and facilitate priority movement for ambulances and other emergency vehicles through green corridors.
The project will cover 1,092 adaptive traffic control system locations and 1,029 enforcement locations. Automated systems will detect violations such as red-light and stop-line violations, speeding, wrong-way driving, illegal parking, and non-use of helmets and seat belts.
Traffic Command and Control Centres will integrate traffic regulation, enforcement, and information dissemination on a common platform, supported by a Data Centre and Disaster Recovery infrastructure.
The system will also provide commuters with information on congestion, diversions, parking availability, and traffic conditions through variable message signs and digital platforms. It may also share such information with navigation service providers.
The project will be implemented by Delhi Police through a Master System Integrator selected through competitive bidding, with C-DAC providing technical support as a project management consultant.
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