Key Highlights Infrastructure Union Budget 2022-2023

Union Minister Sitharaman presented the Budget 2022-2023 today, February 1. Union Budget 2022 focussed on big private investment in infrastructure, FM Sitharaman asserted that these developments in infrastructure will be guided by Gati Shakti.

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan

The scope of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan will encompass the seven engines for economic transformation, seamless multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency. It will also include the infrastructure developed by the state governments as per the GatiShakti Master Plan. The focus will be on planning, financing including through innovative ways, use of technology, and speedier implementation.

The projects pertaining to these seven engines in the National Infrastructure Pipeline will be aligned with PM GatiShakti framework. The touchstone of the Master Plan will be world-class modern infrastructure and logistics synergy among different modes of movement, both of people and goods and location of projects. This will help raise productivity, and accelerate economic growth and development.

Road Transport

For 2022-23, the allocation is 1 lakh crore to assist the states in catalysing overall investments in the economy.  These fifty-year interest free loans are over and above the normal borrowings allowed to the states. This allocation will be used for PM GatiShakti related and other productive capital investment of the states. It will also include components forSupplemental funding for priority segments of PM Gram SadakYojana and reforms related to building by laws, town planning schemes, transit-oriented development, and transferable development rights.

PM GatiShakti Master Plan for Expressways will be formulated in 2022-23 to facilitate faster movement of people and goods.

The National Highways network will be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-23. ` 20,000 crore will be mobilized through innovative ways of financing to complement the public resources.

Multimodal Logistics Parks

Contracts for implementation of Multimodal Logistics Parks at four locations through PPP mode will be awarded in 2022-23.

As a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative to conventional roads in difficult hilly areas, National Ropeways Development Programme will be taken up on PPP mode. The aim is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism. This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit systems are not feasible. Contracts for 8 ropeway projects for a length of 60 km will be awarded in 2022-23.

With technical support from the Capacity Building Commission, central ministries, state governments, and their infra-agencies will have their skills upgraded. This will ramp up capacity in planning, design, financing including innovative ways, and implementation management of the PM GatiShakti infrastructure projects. 

Ken Betwa project and Other River Linking Projects

Implementation of the Ken-Betwa Link Project, at an estimated cost of ` 44,605 crore will be taken up. This is aimed at providing irrigation benefits to 9.08 lakh hectare of farmers’ lands, drinking water supply for 62 lakh people, 103 MW of Hydro, and 27 MW of solar power. Allocations of 4,300crore in RE 2021-22 and Rs 1,400 crore in 2022-23 have been made for this project.

Draft DPRs of five river links, namely Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-Tapi- Narmada, Godavari-Krishna, Krishna-Pennar and Pennar-Cauvery have been finalized. Once a consensus is reached among the beneficiary states, the Centre will provide support for implementation.

In 2022-23 80 lakh houses will be completed for the identified eligible beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana, both rural and urban. ` 48,000 crore is allocated for this purpose.

The Central Government will work with the state governments for reduction of time required for all land and construction related approvals, for promoting affordable housing for middle class and Economically Weaker Sections in urban areas. We shall also work with the financial sector regulators to expand access to capital along with reduction in cost of intermediation.

Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE)

A new scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East, PM-DevINE, will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council. It will fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti, and social development projects based on felt needs of the North-East. This will enable livelihood activities for youth and women, filling the gaps in various sectors. It will not be a substitute for existing central or state schemes. While the central ministries may also pose their candidate projects, priority will be given to those posed by the states.

Financial Viability of Infrastructure Projects

For financing the infrastructure needs, the stepping-up of public investment will need to be complemented by private capital at a significant scale. Measures will be taken to enhance financial viability of projects including PPP, with technical and knowledge assistance from multilateral agencies. Enhancing financial viability shall also be obtained by adopting global best practices, innovative ways of financing, and balanced risk allocation.

Infrastructure Status

Data Centres and Energy Storage Systems including dense charging infrastructure and grid-scale battery systems will be included in the harmonized list of infrastructure. This will facilitate credit availability for digital infrastructure and clean energy storage.

Public Capital Investment

Capital investment holds the key to speedy and sustained economic revival and consolidation through its multiplier effect. Capital investment also helps in creating employment opportunities, inducing enhanced demand for manufactured inputs from large industries and MSMEs, services from professionals, and helping farmers through better agri-infrastructure. The economy has shown strong resilience to come out of the effects of the pandemic with high growth. However, we need to sustain that level to make up for the setback of 2020-21.