Budget 2025: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday made a series of announcements aimed at driving infrastructure development and said ₹1.5 lakh crore will be provided towards 50-year interest-free loans to states for infrastructure projects.
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Budget 2025 for infrastructure development
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Infrastructure
— Each infrastructure-related ministry will create a three-year pipeline of projects that can be implemented in PPP mode.
— States will also be encouraged to do so and can seek support from the IIPDF (India Infrastructure Project Development Fund) scheme to prepare PPP proposals, said FM.
Support to States for Infrastructure
An outlay of ₹1.5 lakh crore is proposed for the 50-year interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure and incentives for reforms.
Modified Udaan scheme
The FM announced a modified Udaan scheme to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations, which will help four crore additional passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts.
Greenfield Airports in Bihar
In addition to expanding the capacity of Patna airport and a brownfield airport in Bihar, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that greenfield airports will be facilitated in Bihar to meet the future aviation needs of the State.
National Geospatial Mission
— The government will start a National Geospatial Mission to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data.
— Using PM Gati Shakti, this Mission will facilitate the modernisation of land records, urban planning, and design of infrastructure projects.
Warehousing facility for air cargo
— The government will facilitate the upgradation of infrastructure and warehousing for air cargo, including high-value perishable horticulture produce.
— Cargo screening and customs protocols will be streamlined and made user-friendly.
Centre of Excellence in AI for Education
— A Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for education will be set up with a total outlay of ₹500 crore.
Additional infra in five IITs set up after 2014
— Additional infrastructure will be created in the five IITs set up after 2014 to facilitate education for 6,500 more students.
— Hostel and other infrastructure capacity at IIT, Patna will also be expanded.
Jal Jeevan Mission
— The Budget outlay for Jal Jeevan Mission will be enhanced to achieve 100 per cent coverage.
— The Mission’s focus will be on the quality of infrastructure and O&M of rural piped water supply schemes through “Jan Bhagidhari”.
Asset Monetization Plan 2025-30
The Finance Minister said that building on the success of the first Asset Monetization Plan announced in 2021, the second Plan for 2025-30 will be launched to plough back capital of ₹10 lakh crore in new projects. Regulatory and fiscal measures will be fine-tuned to support the Plan.
Urban Sector Reforms
Urban sector reforms related to governance, municipal services, urban land, and planning will be incentivised.
