The Finance Minister announced spending of USD 1.4 trillion on infrastructure

21 Oct 2019 CW Team

Reportedly, the Finance Minister announced the government’s decision at the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting that was held in Washington on October 19. She added that a task force had been set up in the finance ministry in order to map out an infrastructure pipeline for the coming five years. She laid emphasis on prioritising infrastructural growth of the country by stating that the current government would invest more on the segment compared to the spending in the last ten years.

The country has, as reported, launched Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and have put forth a strong blueprint for municipal bonds – that act as financial catalysts to give a push to further development.

Various models and initiatives have been adopted by the government: the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the Asset Recycling Model (ARM) and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).

ARM is a useful model that allows the revamping or modernisation of existing infrastructure while giving them the required funding to back upcoming projects. The NIIF, on the other hand is aimed at garnering investments from both national and international players, directed towards the infrastructure segment.

The development of brownfield assets as a distinct asset class is also on the books as this will permit the government to utilise them for further investment. These assets are reportedly, no longer in the backlog stages of land acquisition and required clearances. As per the Finance Minister, they are de-risked and hence, institutional investment from pension, insurance and sovereign wealth funds are forthcoming in such assets.

She also cued in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) by stating that the scheme would cover a total of 145 million beneficiaries. The significance of India’s rural economy was also highlighted in tune to the scheme. To promote farmers to use organic seeds and natural fertilizers, the government is set to introduce the Zero Budget Natural Farming model. This will in turn, expectedly double farmers’ income by 2022.

India is set to spend USD 1.4 trillion on developing its infrastructure in the next five years, according to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The move is seen in the backdrop of the country’s ambitious goal to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024. Reportedly, the Finance Minister announced the government’s decision at the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting that was held in Washington on October 19. She added that a task force had been set up in the finance ministry in order to map out an infrastructure pipeline for the coming five years. She laid emphasis on prioritising infrastructural growth of the country by stating that the current government would invest more on the segment compared to the spending in the last ten years. The country has, as reported, launched Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and have put forth a strong blueprint for municipal bonds – that act as financial catalysts to give a push to further development. Various models and initiatives have been adopted by the government: the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the Asset Recycling Model (ARM) and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). ARM is a useful model that allows the revamping or modernisation of existing infrastructure while giving them the required funding to back upcoming projects. The NIIF, on the other hand is aimed at garnering investments from both national and international players, directed towards the infrastructure segment. The development of brownfield assets as a distinct asset class is also on the books as this will permit the government to utilise them for further investment. These assets are reportedly, no longer in the backlog stages of land acquisition and required clearances. As per the Finance Minister, they are de-risked and hence, institutional investment from pension, insurance and sovereign wealth funds are forthcoming in such assets. She also cued in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) by stating that the scheme would cover a total of 145 million beneficiaries. The significance of India’s rural economy was also highlighted in tune to the scheme. To promote farmers to use organic seeds and natural fertilizers, the government is set to introduce the Zero Budget Natural Farming model. This will in turn, expectedly double farmers’ income by 2022.

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

Gurgaon-Pataudi-Rewari Highway Set for Completion by December 2025

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set a new target to complete the four-lane Gurgaon-Pataudi-Rewari highway by December 2025, following a two-year delay.Originally planned in 2018 to upgrade the two-lane state highway into a national highway, the project is estimated to cost Rs 9 billion. Construction, which began in 2021, was initially scheduled for completion in November 2023. According to NHAI, around 70 per cent of the work is already complete, with two major structures still pending: a railway overbridge at Pahari village and a two-lane unidirectional flyover on Dwarka E..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

UP Plans Rs 900 Million Extensions to Hindon Elevated Road

The Uttar Pradesh state bridge corporation has prepared the detailed project report and cost estimates for two proposed extensions of the 10.3-km Hindon elevated road, officials said on Thursday. The road connects Raj Nagar Extension to UP-Gate near the east Delhi border, and the project is expected to cost around Rs 900 million.The two extensions, each 400 metres long, will be added to the existing elevated road to ensure smoother traffic flow. “One of the extensions will be from near the Kanawani culvert (near Indirapuram) to the elevated road for commuters heading towards Delhi. The other..

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

Goa Likely to Miss October Deadline for Maritime Master Plan

Goa is expected to miss the October 31 deadline for submitting its maritime and waterways master plan, which covers the state’s 105 km coastline and river network. The delay is due to the project management consultant not yet being appointed. The plan is now anticipated to be completed by December, Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues stated at the India Maritime Week 2025 roadshow.“We have already selected the consultant and will bring them on board within a week. Only then can we begin drafting the master plan, which is essential to secure central government funding,” Rodrigues added.A c..