National Desk, 1st February: In the Interim Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the upgrade of 40,000 normal rail bogies to Vande Bharat Standards, emphasizing improved passenger safety and comfort.
Sitharaman also detailed plans for three major economic railway corridors, covering energy, mineral, and cement corridors, port connectivity corridors, and high traffic density corridors.
Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti for multi-modal connectivity, these initiatives aim to accelerate GDP growth and reduce logistic costs.
Sitharaman expressed confidence in the BJP government’s post-Lok Sabha election retention, pledging a detailed roadmap for Viksit Bharat in the upcoming full budget.
The Finance Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas,’ recognizing pandemic challenges and showcasing India’s resilience in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The four major pillars needing focus, as identified by Sitharaman, include the poor, women, youth, and farmers.
The presentation concluded with a positive outlook, underscoring the government’s determination for inclusive growth and development.
As the Budget 2024 undergoes scrutiny and debates in Parliament, stakeholders will assess its potential impact on the nation’s economic trajectory.