On Wednesday, the Rajasthan government proposed a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure, energy access, and urban development, including the provision of 150 units of free electricity for households.
During the ongoing Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Budget Session, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the state budget, outlining a host of major reforms. Among the key proposals was the provision of solar panels for homes of eligible families to promote sustainable energy consumption. For households without the space for individual solar panels, the state will set up community solar plants to ensure equal access to renewable energy.
In addition to the solar initiative, the budget outlined plans to provide 5 lakh new domestic electricity connections and 5,000 new agricultural connections, expanding electricity access throughout Rajasthan.
Minister Kumari also noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Rajasthan’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to surpass Rs 19.89 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
The budget also focused on urban mobility improvements, with the removal of the BRTS system in Jaipur and the introduction of a new phase of the Jaipur Metro to enhance the city’s transport infrastructure. To address traffic congestion and improve connectivity, the budget proposes the construction of 9 new greenfield expressways and 15 ring roads in key cities like Balotra, Jaisalmer, Jhalawar, and Dungarpur.
In a bid to improve water access, the government plans to create 1,050 new technical posts in the Piped Water Supply Department and install 1,500 hand pumps and 1,000 tube wells across the state in the coming year. The budget also proposes the provision of 2 lakh new land pattas for families, promoting better housing opportunities.
Additionally, a fund of Rs 1,750 crore will be allocated for the development of backward areas through the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Urban Development Scheme will receive a budget of Rs 12,050 crore to boost urban infrastructure.
The budget also includes provisions for the construction of 500 “pink toilets” in urban local bodies to improve sanitation facilities for women.
In terms of broader infrastructure development, the state will see the creation of 9 greenfield expressways covering over 2,750 kilometers at a total cost of Rs 60,000 crore. Another Rs 6,000 crore will be allocated for the upgrading of 21,000 kilometers of roads under the Bharat Mala Project.
The state government has also committed Rs 10 crore per assembly constituency and Rs 15 crore for desert areas to build non-pachable roads. To enhance rural connectivity, 1,600 settlements will be connected to paved roads under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana, benefiting 500 villages with an investment of Rs 500 crore.
To improve public transport, the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) will add 500 new buses to the fleet, catering to both urban and rural areas.
In her speech, Finance Minister Diya Kumari emphasized the government’s focus on creating a more connected, prosperous, and sustainable Rajasthan, setting new benchmarks for development to benefit its citizens.