Budget 2024: Boost to Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati Capital, Polavaram project
- In the Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced ₹15,000 crore for infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, just after rejecting JD(U)'s Special Category Status request.
image for illustrative purpose
Budget 2024–25: Nirmala Sitharaman Allocates ₹15,000 Crore for Andhra Pradesh
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant allocation of ₹15,000 crore for the TDP-led government in Andhra Pradesh during the Budget 2024–25 presentation. This announcement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration rejected Janata Dal (United)'s request for Special Category Status for the state.
Bihar's Infrastructure Boost
In addition to the Andhra Pradesh allocation, the budget also includes a major infrastructure boost for Bihar, governed by JD(U) under Nitish Kumar. The Union government plans to provide financial assistance through multilateral development agencies.
Finance Minister Sitharaman revealed a ₹26,000 crore investment for road projects in Bihar for the upcoming financial year. This includes the development of new airports, medical colleges, and sports infrastructure. "We will formulate Plan Purvodaya for the comprehensive development of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh," she said.
Key Allocations for Bihar:
1. ₹26,000 crore for highway road projects.
2. A new 2400 MW power plant at Pirpainti costing ₹21,400 crore.
3. New airports, medical colleges, and sports infrastructure.
4. The Bihar government's requests for external assistance from multilateral development banks will be expedited.
Industrial Development in Gaya
Finance Minister Sitharaman announced the development of Gaya as an industrial node within the eastern region's industrial corridor. "On the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor, we will support the development of an industrial node at Gaya in Bihar," she stated.
This initiative aims to catalyse development in the eastern region, with specific projects including the Patna-Purnea expressway, Buxar-Bhagalpur highway, Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Vaishali-Darbhanga road, and a new two-lane bridge over the Ganga river in Buxar, all totaling ₹26,000 crore.
Tourism Enhancement
The Mahabodhi Temple corridor will be developed similarly to the Kashi Viswanath temple corridor, boosting tourism in Bihar. Additionally, Nalanda will receive support as a tourist centre, including the revamping of Nalanda University.
Overall, the Budget 2024–25 reflects significant investments in infrastructure and development, aiming to foster growth in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
