Budget Puts Logistics Centre Stage With Rs 5,985.2 bn Transport Outlay

10 Feb 2026 CW Team

Among the key measures were new Dedicated Freight Corridors, including the Dankuni-Surat corridor, and the planned operationalisation of twenty national waterways over coming years. The Budget also proposed a Rs 100 billion (bn) container manufacturing scheme to boost domestic capacity and reduce import dependence, supporting smoother cargo movement across rail, road and water.

Industry responses indicated broad support for the measures as critical to strengthening supply chain reliability and predictability. A logistics multinational highlighted continued focus on infrastructure, micro, small and medium enterprises and sectors such as biopharma, electronics and data centres as positive for integration with global value chains. A domestic logistics technology chief called the announced Rs 12.2 trillion (tn) capital expenditure and reforms such as electronic sealing and automatic customs notifications for trusted importers potential game-changers that could sharply reduce dwell times and working capital stress.

Trade and industry representatives noted that operator-centric customs warehousing, electronic tracking and trusted-importer clearances would improve cargo velocity while enabling lower-cost and lower-carbon logistics networks. Observers argued that stronger east-west connectivity and expanded freight corridors and inland waterways can ease supply-chain bottlenecks, reduce reliance on road transport and cut emissions. Energy-efficient waterways linking industrial hubs such as Talcher and Angul to ports like Paradip and Dhamra were cited as ways to strengthen multimodal logistics and market access.

Senior industry figures said the capital expenditure push reinforces the government's Viksit Bharat roadmap and would significantly enhance multimodal connectivity, coastal shipping and last-mile links for remote regions. The measures were framed as strategic steps to improve cargo productivity, reduce logistics costs and boost the competitiveness of Indian exports in global markets.

The Union Budget 2026-27 placed logistics and transport at the heart of India's growth strategy by allocating Rs 5,985.2 billion (bn) to the transport sector. The outlay is intended to improve freight efficiency, lower logistics costs and enhance export competitiveness by promoting greener freight routes, faster clearances and manufacturing-linked logistics. The allocation signals a shift towards multimodal connectivity and system-wide reforms. Among the key measures were new Dedicated Freight Corridors, including the Dankuni-Surat corridor, and the planned operationalisation of twenty national waterways over coming years. The Budget also proposed a Rs 100 billion (bn) container manufacturing scheme to boost domestic capacity and reduce import dependence, supporting smoother cargo movement across rail, road and water. Industry responses indicated broad support for the measures as critical to strengthening supply chain reliability and predictability. A logistics multinational highlighted continued focus on infrastructure, micro, small and medium enterprises and sectors such as biopharma, electronics and data centres as positive for integration with global value chains. A domestic logistics technology chief called the announced Rs 12.2 trillion (tn) capital expenditure and reforms such as electronic sealing and automatic customs notifications for trusted importers potential game-changers that could sharply reduce dwell times and working capital stress. Trade and industry representatives noted that operator-centric customs warehousing, electronic tracking and trusted-importer clearances would improve cargo velocity while enabling lower-cost and lower-carbon logistics networks. Observers argued that stronger east-west connectivity and expanded freight corridors and inland waterways can ease supply-chain bottlenecks, reduce reliance on road transport and cut emissions. Energy-efficient waterways linking industrial hubs such as Talcher and Angul to ports like Paradip and Dhamra were cited as ways to strengthen multimodal logistics and market access. Senior industry figures said the capital expenditure push reinforces the government's Viksit Bharat roadmap and would significantly enhance multimodal connectivity, coastal shipping and last-mile links for remote regions. The measures were framed as strategic steps to improve cargo productivity, reduce logistics costs and boost the competitiveness of Indian exports in global markets.

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