100 days of Modi 3.0: Govt okayed projects worth Rs 3 trn, says Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP-led NDA government approved projects worth Rs 3 trillion during the first 100 days of its third term in office, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday.

These include infrastructure development projects such as roads and bridges that will connect 25,000 remote villages and a deep sea port at Vadhvan in Maharashtra, Shah informed, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi he attended with Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

At the press meet, Shah also spoke of the Modi government’s intent to transform the agricultural sector, especially by extending support to rural enterprises and startups, and mentioned that the latest census would be conducted soon.

VILLAGE ROADS AND MEGA PORT

While on infrastructure projects initiated by Modi 3.0 in the first 100 days, the Home Minister spoke of the Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Scheme – IV, or PMGSY - IV, under which approval was granted for construction and upgradation of 62,500 km of roads and bridges that would reach 25,000 villages, many of which have a population of below 100 and were so far not connected. The Centre has allocated Rs 49,000 crore for the project. That apart, Rs 50,600 crore has been okayed for the country’s road network, including eight National High Speed Road Corridor Projects that will cover 936 km.

A highlight upcoming project in infrastructure development is the Rs 76,200-crore Vadhvan Mega Port, which will be among the 10 top ports in the world upon completion, Shah added.

BOOST FOR FARMERS, RURAL STARTUPS

In the agriculture sector, Modi 3.0 has aided farmers by raising the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops, increasing duty on import of crude palm, sunflower and soybean oils, and by removing Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onions and basmati rice Shah said.

The NDA government helmed by PM Modi, which assumed office for a record third straight term on June 9, 2024, has also introduced a fund named Agrisure that seeks to transform the agricultural sector, especially by extending support to rural enterprises and startups.

The Home Minister pointed out that Modi government has performed with stability as far as policy-making is concerned, and yet been flexible enough to imbibe changes necessary to confront problems.

CENSUS COMING UP

Responding to a query, Shah said the government would soon make an announcement on conducting census of the country’s population, adding that the process has been delayed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.