The Central government will prioritise critical connectivity infrastructure projects worth Rs 75,000 crore in the upcoming financial year. This was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.

As many as 100 transport infrastructure projects that support last-and first-mile connectivity in ports, coal, steel, fertiliser and food grains sectors have been identified. The investment will include Rs 15,000 crore from private entities.

The chosen framework for infrastructure development is the corridor approach which will be adopted for port connectivity corridors under Sagarmala, energy corridors (projects connecting several coal belts), cement corridor, and hill corridors.

Coastal shipping will get a boost especially as the rail-sea-rail (RSR) mode for transportation of coal is a major agenda. The railways ministry has received an allocation of close to Rs 2.15 trillion towards track upgrade works and procurement of rolling stock for capacity enhancement.