What does PM Modi's Rs 1.25 lakh crore Bihar package include?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a stupendous Rs 1.25 lakh crore economic package for poll-bound Bihar, raising the stakes in the high-pitched electoral battle, a must-win for BJP after its Delhi decimation. He said the package, whose details he did not disclose, will be in addition to the ongoing development projects worth over Rs 40,000 crore already being funded by the Centre.

According to a Press Information Bureau of India release, out of the 1.25 lakh crore package, the biggest chunk of funds has been approved for highway and road building projects. Rs 54, 713 crore has been allotted for highways which includes 2775 kilometres of National Highways to work on four-laning and widening. It also includes Construction of bridges across Ganga, Sone and Kosi rivers; also includes 12 Rail overbridges. 

Another Rs 3094 crores has been allotted for farmers' welfare which includes Upgradation of Rajendra Prasad Agriculture University to Central University. It also includes construction of new godowns for foodgrains among other agendas. 

The next big chunk is given to Petroleum and Gas sectors worth Rs 21,476 crores. The expansion of Barauni Refinery, a new Petrochemical plant and new LPG plants is included in this among other highlights in the break up. 

For the Electricity sector, Rs 16,130 crore has been allotted which includes a new power plant at Buxor, electrification of villages under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Vidyut Yojana and Electrification of towns-cities under Integrated Power Development Scheme. 

Rural Road Development bagged Rs 13,820 crore while Railways got Rs 8,870 crores which includes doubling and tripling of 676 kms of Railway line. 

PM Modi inaugurated the first phase of Skill Development Centre in Bihar. He laid the foundation stone of the state's first regional Vocational Training Institute for Women in Patna. The Skill Development sector got Rs 1,550 crore for the establishment of Mega Skill University and for the training of 1 lakh youth. 

Tourism and Health sectors were allotted Rs 600 crore each. The Education sector was allotted Rs 1,000 crore which includes an IIM at Bodhgaya and Central University near Bhagalpur. 

For the construction of a new airport at Patna and the development of the airports at Gaya, Raxaul and Purnea, the Airport sector was allotted Rs 2,700 crore. 

The Digital sector bagged Rs 449 crore for new Software Technology Parks, Rural BPOs and training sectors. This will also include 30 WiFi hotspots across prominent tourist places and 1,000 new Mobile towers to increase coverage and quality. 

Adding to this, is the leftover Rs 8,282 crores from an earlier 2013 package, Rs 12,375 cr from ongoing works of National Highways and Rs 20,000 crore UMPP (Ultra Mega Power Project) in Banka under PPP. It adds up to a total of Rs 40, 657 crores in addition to the Rs 1.25 lakh crore package. 

(Image Source: PIC Website)

(Image Source: PIC Website)