1, Feb 2026
Budget 2026: Infrastructure and Logistics Boost to Strengthen India’s Trade Competitiveness
Mr. Girish Aggarwal, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav
“Budget 2026 reassures the government’s continued focus on infrastructure-led growth and the importance of logistics as a key enabler of India’s trade competitiveness. At a time of global uncertainty, the record public capital expenditure of INR12.2 lakh crore and the emphasis on integrated connectivity through freight corridors, coastal shipping, inland waterways, and port-led development provide a stable and confidence-building signal for the sector.
Focused initiatives such as the Dankuni–Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor and the operationalisation of new national waterways strengthen multimodal connectivity, while investments in ship-repair ecosystems and high-speed rail corridors reflect a forward-looking approach to long-term infrastructure development.
The Finance Minister’s emphasis on keeping the ‘Reform Express’ firmly on track is clearly visible in these initiatives, as well as in the INR10,000 crore allocation for container manufacturing and the focus on sustainable cargo movement. From an industry perspective, these measures will significantly improve connectivity, reduce transit times, lower logistics costs, and enable Indian ports to operate with greater efficiency, reliability, and scale. The Budget’s focus on digitised, integrated customs processes and faster cargo clearances is a meaningful step towards improving ease of doing business. The expansion of AI-enabled, non-intrusive scanning across major ports will directly support faster cargo movement and lower transaction friction, translating into improved reliability and efficiency across the logistics chain for ports and trade.
At APM Terminals Pipavav, we see this as an opportunity to continue working closely with the government and stakeholders to support India’s evolving logistics and maritime ecosystem and contribute to India’s long-term economic growth.”
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- By Neel Achary
