A month after N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU helped the BJP secure a majority to return to power for the third time, Modi 3.0’s 2024 Budget has allocated significant projects for the states of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, both governed by BJP allies.
Despite the Centre recently dismissing the idea of granting Bihar Special Category Status—a long-standing demand of the JDU—Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled several development initiatives for the state.
To enhance road connectivity in Bihar, the government has announced plans for expressways linking Patna to Purnea, Buxar to Bhagalpur, and another connecting Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Vaishali, and Darbhanga, with a budget of ₹ 2,600 crore. Additionally, a two-lane bridge over the Ganga in Buxar district will be constructed. The Finance Minister also revealed plans for a 2,400 MW power plant in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Bihar government’s request for banks to expedite funds for development will be met.
Bihar is included in the Purvodaya initiative, aimed at accelerating development in the eastern part of India. This initiative focuses on human resources development, infrastructure enhancement, and creating economic opportunities in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, with the goal of making this region a driving force for achieving a developed India.
In Andhra Pradesh, which recently saw an NDA sweep in the Assembly polls, infrastructure projects in railways and roadways will be prioritized. To support Andhra Pradesh’s capital development, ₹15,000 crore will be arranged through multilateral development agencies. The Finance Minister also mentioned that the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act and its associated concerns will be addressed promptly.
The allocation for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar in the 2024 Budget is significant, given the crucial support the TDP and JDU provided to the BJP, helping it return to power after falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha polls this year.
