Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently said the Union Budget has given a powerful thrust to India’s economic transformation by accelerating reforms and positioning the maritime sector as a key driver of the vision of Viksit Bharat. He noted that the Budget reflects the government’s commitment to the three Kartavyas—accelerating economic growth, building capacity and ensuring inclusive development under ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Sonowal said the maritime sector has been clearly recognised as a strategic enabler of trade competitiveness, logistics efficiency and long-term economic resilience. He thanked Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget, calling it a sign of policy continuity and reform stability. A major highlight is the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme with an outlay of Rs 100 billion over five years to build a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem. India aims to develop domestic capacity of about one million TEUs annually over the next decade, creating a potential market of nearly Rs 1.07 lakh crore, generating around 3,000 direct and over 50,000 indirect jobs, while reducing dependence on imported containers. The Budget also provides fresh momentum to inland waterways, with 20 new National Waterways to be operationalised over the next five years. Cargo movement on inland waterways has grown nearly 700 per cent since 2013–14, while the operational length has expanded to over 5,155 km. Focused development of National Waterway-5 on the Mahanadi system in Odisha is expected to unlock eastern India’s industrial and mineral potential, with cargo potential of up to 20 million tonnes by 2047 and investment of about Rs 130 billion. Further announcements include Regional Centres of Excellence for inland waterways training, a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the share of waterways and coastal shipping to 12 per cent by 2047, improved port connectivity through new freight corridors, support for seaplane manufacturing, and incentives to promote Indian ship ownership. Sonowal said the Budget firmly positions shipping, waterways, shipbuilding and container manufacturing as strategic enablers of India’s logistics and trade competitiveness, laying a strong foundation for the country’s next phase of growth.