Budget: National highway network to be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-23

PM Gati Shakti Master Plan for expressways will be formulated in 2022-23 to facilitate faster movement of people and goods, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Parliament on Tuesday.

"PM Gati Shakti Master Plan for Expressways to be formulated in 2022-23, to facilitate faster movement of people and goods. NH network to be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-23. Rs 20,000 crore to be mobilized to complement public resources," she said while addressing the Budget session.

She said, "Budget lays parallel track of futuristic and inclusive blueprint for Amrit Kaal. Big public investment for modern infrastructure, readying India for 100 years of completion, will be guided by PM Gati Shakti."

"PM Gati Shakti is driven by seven engines: roads, railways, airports, ports, mass transport, waterways, logistics infrastructure. All 7 engines will pull forward the economy in unison Supported by energy transmission, IT communciation, bulk water and sewerage and social infrastructure," she said.

The minister said that projects in the National Infrastructure Pipeline pertain to seven engines that will be aligned with PM Gati Shakti Framework.

"Projects in National, Infrastructure Pipeline which pertain to seven engines that will be aligned with PM Gati Shakti Framework. Touchstone of master plan will be by world class modern infrasturcture, logistics synergy among different modes of movement and location of projects," she said.

Earlier today, Sitharaman met President Ram Nath Kovind ahead of the Budget presentation. She was accompanied by Ministers of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Bhagwat Karad and other officials from the Ministry.

In an attempt to go green, the Union Budget for 2022-2023 was presented in a paperless format. Sitharaman read out the Budget at the Parliament through a tab, instead of the traditional 'bahi khata'.

On Monday, she tabled this year's Economic Survey, centred around the theme of "Agile approach", which forecasted India's economy to grow by 9.2 per cent during Financial Year 2021-22 and by 8-8.5 per cent in fiscal 2023 beginning 1 April.

The budget session of Parliament began on Monday with the address by President Ram Nath Kovind to both Houses in the Central Hall.

The first part of the Union Budget Session of Parliament will be held from January 31 to February 11 and the second part of the Budget Session will take place from March 14 to April 8.

( With inputs from ANI )

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