Second pillar of Budget 2021: Physical and financial capital and infrastructure

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Of the six pillars on which Budget 2020-21 rests, the second pillar is physical and financial capital and infrastructure.

Here’s a look at some major announcements under the second pillar:

a) Sharp increase in capital expenditure: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed a push in capital expenditure with Rs 5.54 lakh crore being allocated — 34.5% more than the previous budget.

b) Mega Investment Textile Parks: Under this step, 7 new textile parks will be set up across the country.

c) Roads and highways: Capital expenditure has been pegged at Rs 4.39 lakh crore.

— 3,500 kms of national highway work in Tamil Nadu with an investment of ₹ 1.03 lakh crore. Construction will commence next year.

— 1,500 kms of national highway work in Kerala including 600 km stretch of Mumbai-Kanyakumari corridor with an investment of ₹ 65,000 crore.

— National Highway work in West Bengal at a cost of ₹ Rs 25,000 crore.

— National Highway work of more than Rs 34,000 crore covering 300 kms

Railway Infrastructure: A national railway policy has been announced.

— Western and Eastern dedicated freight corridors will be commissioned soon.

— High Density networks will be provided to ensure train protection and reduce train collision incidents.

Urban Infrastructure:

— A new scheme will be launched to support augmentation of bus services. This is expected to boost the automobile sector and generate job opportunities, while ensuring smooth mobility to citizens.

— Metro Lite and Metro Neo to be introduced.

— Kochi Metro Phase-2 to receive central funding.

Power Distribution: Consumers will be given a choice of more than one distribution company. Share of public transport will be enhanced with an outlay of ₹ 18,000 crore.

Hydrogen Energy Mission: This mission has been launched to generate green energy using clean sources.