Modi's 'big-bang' theory : A peek into the 1.25 lakh crore package for Bihar

At last, Bihar has got its long-awaited due. Just ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a massive package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for the state during his Ara visit on 18 August.

The package will change the "face and fate" of the State, said PM Modi.

"Earlier, I had declared that I would give a Rs 50,000-crore package to Bihar, but now, I realised it was not enough for the state," Modi said. "So I have come here to Ara to declare that I will give a Rs 1.25 lakh crore package for its growth and development."

What exactly is in this gigantic goodie-bag?

- Rs 54,713 crores

For highways and road building projects, including 2,775 kilometres of highways and the construction of bridges across the Kosi, Sone and Ganga rivers.This also includes 12 rail overbridges.

- Rs 13,820 crores

For 22,500 kms of rural roads.

- Rs 21,476 crores

For the petroleum and gas sectors including exapnsion of Barauni Refinery and a new Petrochemical plant, construction of gas pipelines, new LPG plants, massive expansion in domestic LPG connections and petrol-diesel pipeline from Raxaul to Nepal.

- Rs 16,130 crores

For the electrification of villages under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Vidyut Yojana and electirifcation small towns under Integrated Development Power scheme. A 1,300 MW power plant at Buxar is also planned.

- Rs 3,094 crores

For the welfare of farmers, because the centre cannot afford to upset them. It includes the up-gradation of Rajendra Prasad Agriculture University to Central Univsersity and creation of new Research Centre.

- Rs 1,000 crores

For the education sector. Projects planned include an IIM at Bodh Gaya and a Central University near Bhagalpur.

- Rs 1,550 crores

For skill development. Establishment of Mega Skill University and training of 1 lakh youth.

- Rs 8,870 crores

For doubling and tripling of 676 kms of Railway line and electrification of 574 kms.

- Rs 2,700 crores

For new airport at Patna and development of airports at Gaya, Raxaul and Purnea.

- Rs 600 crores

Up-gradation of 3 medical colleges at Patna, Bhagalpur and Gaya.

- Rs 600 crores

For development of 7 tourist circuits.

- Rs 449 crores

For software technology parks, rural BPOs and training centres, 1000 new Mobile towers to increase coverage and quality, 30 Wifi hotspots across prominent tourist places and common service centres to be scaled up from 8,800 to 26,000.

And all this is in addition to ongoing development projects in Bihar, worth over Rs 40,000 crore, already being funded by the centre.