Modi 3.0: A 100-Day Report Card on Infrastructure, Agriculture and Policy Innovations

After securing a historic third term on June 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have hit the ground running, marking 100 days in office with a flurry of significant decisions spanning infrastructure, agriculture, and policy reforms. Here’s a comprehensive look at the major initiatives and achievements of the Modi 3.0 government in its initial 100 days:

Major Infrastructure Projects

• Massive Infrastructure Investment: The Modi government has greenlit a combined infrastructure investment of Rs 3 lakh crore, setting a robust foundation for future development.
• Wadhavan Mega Port: A monumental project worth Rs 76,200 crore has been approved for the Wadhavan Mega Port in Maharashtra. This port is expected to rank among the top 10 global ports, boosting maritime trade and regional development.
• Rural Roads Enhancement: Under Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Scheme-4 (PMGSY-IV), the government has approved the construction and upgrade of 62,500 km of roads and bridges. This initiative aims to connect 25,000 previously unconnected villages, with a significant financial backing of Rs 49,000 crore from the Centre.
• National High-Speed Road Corridors: Investment of Rs 50,600 crore has been sanctioned for eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects, covering a span of 936 km, enhancing connectivity and transportation efficiency.
• Shinkhun-La Tunnel: The construction of the Shinkhun-La Tunnel, aimed at linking Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh, has commenced with PM Modi overseeing the first blast.
• Railway Projects: Eight new railway line projects have been approved, anticipated to generate 4.42 crore human-days of employment.

Agricultural Reforms and Support

• Increased Minimum Support Price (MSP): The MSP for Kharif crops has been raised, benefiting farmers and boosting agricultural productivity.
• Export and Import Policy Adjustments: The government has removed the minimum export price on onions and basmati rice, while increasing the import duty on crude palm oil, soybean, and sunflower oils.
• National Cooperative Policy: A draft of the new National Cooperative Policy has been prepared, aiming to enhance the cooperative sector’s effectiveness.
• Agricultural Fund ‘Agrisure’: The government launched the Agrisure fund to revolutionize agriculture by supporting startups and rural enterprises.

Urban and Regional Development

• Airport and Airstrip Expansions: Development of the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi has been approved, along with new civil enclaves in Bihta (Bihar) and Bagdogra (West Bengal). Additionally, new airstrips are set for construction at Agatti and Minicoy in the Lakshadweep islands.
• Metro Expansion: Phase 3 expansions of the Pune Metro, Bangalore Metro, and the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project have been approved, enhancing urban transportation infrastructure.

Tax and Pension Reforms

• Tax Benefits: The government has increased the tax-free income slab to Rs 7,00,000, allowing salaried individuals to save up to Rs 17,500 in taxes. The standard deduction has been raised to Rs 75,000, and the exemption limit for family pensions has been increased to Rs 25,000.
• Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): A new pension scheme has been implemented, offering employees with 25 years of service 50% of their average basic salary as pension.
• One Rank, One Pension (OROP): The third iteration of the OROP scheme will be introduced for security forces and their families.

Housing and Renewable Energy

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): The government has approved 3 crore additional houses under the PMAY scheme, including 1 crore for urban areas and 2 crore for rural regions.
• Solar Energy Expansion: Over 2.5 lakh homes have been equipped with solar energy systems between June and August 2024 under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
• E-Bus Initiative: The PM-eBus Sewa scheme has been approved, with a Rs 3,400 crore allocation for the purchase of e-buses, promoting an environmentally friendly public transport system.

As Prime Minister Modi’s administration navigates its third term, these 100 days have been marked by ambitious plans and substantial investments aimed at transforming infrastructure, supporting agriculture, and enhancing public services.