Budget Sharpens Focus On Logistics With Rs 5,985.2 bn Outlay

10 Feb 2026 CW Team

Key measures include new Dedicated Freight Corridors including the Dankuni-Surat corridor and the planned operationalisation of 20 National Waterways. The Budget proposed a Rs 100 billion (bn) container manufacturing scheme to boost domestic capacity and cut import dependence, while supporting smoother cargo movement across rail, road and water. The package emphasises multimodal integration and last-mile connectivity for remote and underserved regions.

Industry leaders broadly welcomed the measures as critical for strengthening supply chain reliability and global integration. A FedEx executive described the emphasis on infrastructure development, micro, small and medium enterprises and sectors such as biopharma, electronics, semiconductors and data centres as commendable and said reforms in digital logistics and multimodal infrastructure would improve predictability and reduce cycle times. A RapidShyp chief executive noted that the Rs 12,200 billion (bn) capital expenditure announced in the Budget underscored logistics' emergence as a national growth engine and highlighted reforms such as factory-to-ship electronic sealing and automatic customs notifications for trusted importers.

Other logistics stakeholders said operator-centric customs warehousing, electronic tracking and trusted-importer clearances alongside investments in freight corridors, coastal shipping and inland waterways would improve cargo velocity and enable lower-cost, lower-carbon networks. Executives suggested stronger east-west connectivity and energy-efficient waterways linking industrial hubs to major ports would ease bottlenecks and expand market access. The Budget was seen as reinforcing the Viksit Bharat road map through capital expenditure and policy reforms that aim to raise multimodal connectivity and cargo productivity.

The Union Budget 2026-27 placed logistics and transport at the heart of India's growth strategy, allocating Rs 5,985.2 billion (bn) to the transport sector. The allocation is intended to improve freight efficiency, lower logistics costs and enhance export competitiveness through greener freight routes and faster clearances. The measures aim to support manufacturing-linked logistics and reduce supply-chain friction. Key measures include new Dedicated Freight Corridors including the Dankuni-Surat corridor and the planned operationalisation of 20 National Waterways. The Budget proposed a Rs 100 billion (bn) container manufacturing scheme to boost domestic capacity and cut import dependence, while supporting smoother cargo movement across rail, road and water. The package emphasises multimodal integration and last-mile connectivity for remote and underserved regions. Industry leaders broadly welcomed the measures as critical for strengthening supply chain reliability and global integration. A FedEx executive described the emphasis on infrastructure development, micro, small and medium enterprises and sectors such as biopharma, electronics, semiconductors and data centres as commendable and said reforms in digital logistics and multimodal infrastructure would improve predictability and reduce cycle times. A RapidShyp chief executive noted that the Rs 12,200 billion (bn) capital expenditure announced in the Budget underscored logistics' emergence as a national growth engine and highlighted reforms such as factory-to-ship electronic sealing and automatic customs notifications for trusted importers. Other logistics stakeholders said operator-centric customs warehousing, electronic tracking and trusted-importer clearances alongside investments in freight corridors, coastal shipping and inland waterways would improve cargo velocity and enable lower-cost, lower-carbon networks. Executives suggested stronger east-west connectivity and energy-efficient waterways linking industrial hubs to major ports would ease bottlenecks and expand market access. The Budget was seen as reinforcing the Viksit Bharat road map through capital expenditure and policy reforms that aim to raise multimodal connectivity and cargo productivity.

Infrastructure Urban

09 Apr 2026

Mineral Auction Rules Amended To Speed Mine Operationalisation

The Ministry of Mines notified the Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2026 on 30 March 2026 to accelerate operationalisation of mines and improve ease of doing business in the mining sector. The amendment follows a prior change to the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015 effected on 17 October 2025 that introduced intermediary timelines between issuance of a letter of intent (LoI) and execution of the mining lease. The 2025 change provided that one per cent of performance security would be appropriated for each month of delay by the preferred bidder and introduced incentives for early operatio..

Infrastructure Transport

09 Apr 2026

Indian Railways Strengthens Telecom And AI Safety Systems

Indian Railways strengthened its telecom and digital infrastructure during 2025-26 with the aim of improving safety, operational efficiency and the passenger experience. The programme promoted modernisation through advanced technologies, robust communication systems and passenger-centric solutions. These measures were presented as part of a drive to build a digitally integrated rail ecosystem. A key development was the enhancement of the Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP MPLS) backbone, commissioned at 1,396 stations to meet bandwidth needs of mission-critical applications. ..

Infrastructure Transport

09 Apr 2026

NHAI Holds Workshop on Litigation Management and Coordination

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) organised a day-long workshop in New Delhi to strengthen capacity and interdepartmental synergy for faster execution of national highway projects. The event was held under Mission Karmayogi – Sadhana Saptah, an initiative of the Government of India to enhance governance through capacity building and improved processes. The workshop focused on structured and solution oriented deliberations to address implementation constraints. The session was chaired by the NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav and brought together senior officials from NHAI, the M..