NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled India's most comprehensive infrastructure development plan in the nation's recent history, a ₹25 lakh crore programme that promises to reshape the country's road, rail, and waterway networks over the next decade.
Speaking at a national planning conference attended by all Chief Ministers and senior officials, the Prime Minister said the "Viksit Bharat Infrastructure 2035" plan was designed to ensure no district remained isolated from the national transport grid.
Roads, Railways and Waterways
The plan allocates ₹11 lakh crore for road construction, including the completion of three major east-west expressways linking Chennai, Nagpur, and Ahmedabad. A further ₹6.8 lakh crore has been earmarked for railway modernisation, including electrification of all major routes and construction of new Vande Bharat corridors.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who co-presented the plan, announced that over 500 new bypasses would be constructed around tier-2 cities to reduce congestion and improve freight movement. The plan also includes ₹2.1 lakh crore for inland waterway development, with 111 national waterways to be made commercially operational.
Economic Impact
The government estimates the programme will generate 4.5 crore direct employment opportunities and add approximately 1.8% to India's annual GDP growth rate. The infrastructure push is expected to reduce average freight costs by 30%, making Indian manufacturing significantly more competitive globally.