The sustainable economic development depends on asset creating Capital Expenditure. Capital Expenditure refers to the expenses related to creation of infrastructure like roads, bridges, waters, schools, hospitals and other public works. There has been a sea change in growth of infrastructure developments since the time the new Government took office.

In 2010-11, during the previous Left Front Government, Capital Expenditure grew at negative (-ve) 26.08%. There has been a continuous improvement since then. In 2011-12, the growth was positive 24.17%, in 2012-13 at 64.53% and in the present year at 52.33%. Such growth is historic.

Plan Expenditure

The Plan Expenditure of the State has been doubled in the span of the last three years. In 2010-11, the State under Left Front Government has a Plan Expenditure worth Rs 14,165.16 Crore, and in 2013-14 it has grown to Rs 28,159.37 Crore.

Storage Capacity of Agricultural Products

There storage capacity of agricultural products has grown by more than nine times in the last three years. In 2010-11 the storage capacity was 40,000 MT and in the year 2013-14, the storage capacity is now at 3.8 Lakh MT. 84 Krishak Bazars have been already set up. The allocations on agricultural and food processing industries have increased by 25% in the State Budget over last year’s budget.

Water for All

615 rural water supply schemes have been commissioned since May 2011, which is double the number for the corresponding period (2007-2011). The expenses on providing safe drinking water have been increased by 252% from Rs 470 Crore (2010-11) to 1658 Crore (2013-14). More than 41 thousand hand pumps installed. The coverage of piped water has increased from 37.95% to 44.11%.

Rural Roads

More than 2630 kms of rural roads have been constructed in 2013-14, while in comparison only 381 kms were constructed in 2010-11 under Left Rule. The Expenditure also grew significantly from Rs 565 Crore in 2010-11 to Rs 1310 Crore in 2013-14.

State Highways

The Expenditure increased by 152%, from Rs 639 Crore (2010-11) to Rs 1610 Crore (2013-14). During this period from May 2011, 88 bridges and Rail-over-Bridges are nearing completion. The work for Asian Highway 2 and Asian Highway 48 connecting Nepal-Bangladesh and Bangladesh-Bhutan respectively has commenced.

Power

New thermal power centres are being constructed in Santaldih, Durgapur, Sagardighi, Raghunathpur. The Katwa thermal power project is expected to invite investments worth Rs 10,000 Crore. Transmission sub stations have been installed in Dalkhola, Kalna, Khatra, Kakdwio, Kurseong, Sankrial food park, Howrah and Kharagpur.

There has been remarkable development in power transmission infrastructure. 343 MVA Transformer capacity and construction of 887 km transmission line have been made in case of High Transmission line. During the same time, in case of Low Transmission line, enhancement of 2654 MVA transformer capacity have been made.

Power banks have been created, thus excess power produced is saved. Remote islands of Sundarbans are being supplied with power through grid.

Under the Scheme, ‘Sabar Ghore Alo’ electrification is under process for 1 Crore rural households. The work for universal electrification will be complete for all districts by 2016.