Did you know that building ISS cost $150 billion? Here are some of the world's most expensive projects

The estimated cost for PM Narendra Modi’s ambitious plan to connect some of the biggest rivers of the country is $87 billion. The aim: to curtail floods and droughts.

Here are some other big projects that cost big bucks.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aka One Belt One Road (OBOR)
Country: China

Cost: $900 billion

What is it? The mother of all projects. It is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s grand dream of a modern Silk Route. The plan, announced in 2013, aims to link several Asian countries and even parts of Europe with roads, railway and waterways. The idea is to facilitate free trade so that all countries benefit. Gazillion projects, zazillion jobs (on paper).

Deadline: Uncertain.

Trivia: Its Chinese name is ‘Yi Dai Yi Lu’ (One belt, one road).

International Space Station

Cost: $150 billion

What is it? It’s a habitable space lab in earth’s low orbit. Scientists live there for months conducting research, experiments and increasingly, enjoying mundane earthly joys such as watching World Cup football. Bathroom facilities are still not great, though. When Peggy Whitson, who returned to earth recently after a record-breaking 665 days (not consecutive), said the two things she most missed were pizza and flush toilets.

Launched in: 1998
Trivia: The ISS orbits the earth nearly 16 times a day.

London Crossrail Project aka Elizabeth Line

Country: United Kingdom

Cost: $23 billion

What is it? London is expanding its underg round t rain system. New tunnels and tracks, which together are 73 miles long, have been built to connect 40 stations. The work started in 2012 and is proceeding smoothly, for the most part. The project was named after Queen Elizabeth in 2016.

Deadline: 2018
Trivia: The line’s official colour is purple, and the Queen wore a matching Angela Kelly dress for the inauguration of the logo.

South-to-North Water Transfer Project

Country: China

Cost: $78 billion (as of 2014)

What is it? Inevitably, one more endeavour of mindboggling scale in China.

The purpose is to divert water from the Yangtze River using three giant canals to the north of the country, which is often parched and in need of water.

The north is an important region agriculturally and economically.

Deadline: 2050
Trivia: Like with India’s river-linking idea, China too has contemplated the water transfer for decades. In 1952, Mao Zedong reportedly said, “There’s plenty of water in the south, not much water in the north. If at all possible; borrowing some water would be good.”

California High-speed Rail

Country: US

Cost: $70 billion

What is it? The name says it all. It is a train network in California, which will link San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin. The 560 km trip — which takes close to six hours by road — will be done in a less than three hours on the proposed high-speed train.

Deadline: 2029

Trivia: There is some rivalry building between this project and Elon Musk’s Hyperloop. Musk’s challenge is audacious and spectacular. He promises an LA-San Francisco ride in 35 minutes.