Assam, WB, Kerala and Tamil Nadu get highway bonanza in Union Budget

New Delhi: According to Budget proposals made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Narendra Modi government will undertake new road infrastructure projects in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

In her third Budget for fiscal 2021-22, the first Budget since Covid19, the Finance Minister announced road projects worth Rs 25,000 crore in West Bengal.

BJP leaders in Bengal expressed hope that the road works will change the face of rural Bengal and also ensure jobs in multiple manners. Ms Sitharaman announced 675 km corridor in the state at a cost of Rs 95,000 crore. Union Minister and Asansol lawmaker from the state Babul Supriyo welcomed the Budget and termed it realistic based on data and also visionary.

The centre will spend a special amount for Kolkata-Siliguri road project seeking to improve connectivity with North Bengal. Further allocations included Rs 65,000 crore for road and highway projects in Kerala, and Rs 3,400 crore for Assam. A corridor of 1300 km will be developed in Assam while Kerala will see an investment of Rs 65,000 crore for a Rs 1100 km corridor.

Ms Sitharaman also announced 3,500 kms of a national highway project in Tamil Nadu at an investment of Rs 1.03 lakh crore.