PPP, asset monetisation open door for pvt sector

FM proposes ₹1.5trn outlay for 50-yr interest-free loans to states for capex

- SHREYA JAI & DEEPAK PATEL

Continuing with the previous Budget's trend of passing the baton of infrastructure growth from the Centre to states and the private sector, the Union Budget for 2025-26 has opened gates of investment across sectors. The Budget has laid special emphasis on exploring the public-private partnership (PPP) model in key areas, such as housing and power infrastructure. Traditional sectors, such as roads and railways, were notably absent like last year's Budget.

At the outset of her speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman listed private sector investment as one of the five focus areas of the government's agenda. Among the six transformative areas identified, housing received the highest priority within the infrastructure sector, followed by power and mining. Only housing and shipping saw a significant increase in capital expenditure.

Fund to support PPP proposals