- Policy will clarify the roles of the various authorities
- Single window e-logistics market to be created
- Corporatising a Major Port and its listing on stock exchanges to be considered
On logistics and infrastructure, the Union Budget 2020-21, presented by Finance Minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, emphasised that a National Logistics Policy will be released soon, which will clarify the roles of the Union government, state governments and key regulators.
Also, a single window e-logistics market will be created and there will be focus on generation of employment, skills and making MSMEs competitive.
As regards ports & waterways, the Finance Minister said that corporatising at least one Major Port and its listing on stock exchanges to be considered. A governance framework keeping with global benchmarks needed for more efficient sea ports, it was pointed out.
Economic activity along river banks to be energised as per Prime Minister’s Arth Ganga concept.
Overall, Rs 100 lakh crore would be invested in infrastructure over the next 5 years. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, of Rs 103 lakh crore launched on December 31, 2019, comprises more than 6,500 projects across sectors that are classified as per their size and stage of development. The FM said that about Rs 22,000 crore has already been provided as support to the Infrastructure Pipeline. Accelerated development of highways will be undertaken. This will include development of 2,500 km of access control highways, 9,000 km of economic corridors, 2,000 km of coastal and land port roads, and 2,000 km of strategic highways. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and two other packages will be completed by 2023. The Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway will also be started and it is proposed to monetise at least 12 lots of highway bundles of over 6,000 km before 2024.
Allocation of Rs 1.70 lakh crore is proposed for transport infrastructure in 2020-21. Similarly, allocation of Rs 22,000 crore proposed for power and renewable energy sector in 2020-21. Expansion of the national gas grid from the present 16,200 km to 27,000 km proposed.
To promote storage infrastructure and reduce wastage of foodgrains, the FM proposed creation of warehouses through viability gap funding on PPP mode at block level. She also proposed warehouse building by Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) on their land too. As a backward linkage, a village storage scheme was proposed to be run by Self Help Groups (SHG).
To build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of milk, meat and fish, the FM said, “Indian Railways will set up Kisan Rail through PPP arrangements. There shall be refrigerated coaches in express and freight trains as well”. “To help improve value realisation, especially in the North-East and tribal districts, Krishi Udaan will be launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation”, added the Finance Minister.
As part of the Blue Economy, Rs 1 lakh crore fisheries’ exports is to be achieved by 2024-25.
