Union Budget 2025 | Anticipate bold initiatives aimed at improving last-mile connectivity for logistics, says Allcargo Gati MD Ketan Kulkarni

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the Budget for 2025-26 and as such industry leaders are looking forward to announcements benefiting their respective sectors.

Ketan Kulkarni, Managing Director of Gati Express and Supply Chain Limited believes that aligned with the country's ambitious vision of becoming a $7 trillion economy by 2030, this year's Budget must prioritise rapid infrastructure development to enable the logistics and transportation sector to realise its full potential as a catalyst for economic progress and sustainable growth.

"We hope Budget 2025 will reflect the government’s commitment to continuity in reforms, stable decision-making, and progressive policies. Such measures can unlock industry potential by promoting breakthrough technological innovations, empowering start-ups to adapt to an evolving landscape, and bolstering the sector's competitiveness and resilience," Kulkarni said.

The industry anticipates bold initiatives aimed at improving last-mile connectivity and transformative reforms to strengthen the logistics and transportation ecosystem, Kulkarni added.

"A key expectation is the incentivisation of EV charging infrastructure, which is critical to driving sustainability through greater adoption of electric vehicles in logistics operations," the Gati Express chief said.

"Furthermore, the budget presents an opportunity to enhance the ease of doing business through initiatives like ‘Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0’ and accelerating digitalisation efforts to optimise regulatory processes. Increasing the collateral-free Mudra loan limit and establishing dedicated e-commerce export hubs would also be significant in fostering the growth of MSMEs, a crucial driver of India’s economy."

"By placing a stronger emphasis on digital transformation, Budget 2025 could significantly improve the efficiency and agility of the logistics sector. This would align the industry with global standards while creating a competitive and future-ready ecosystem that underscores the government’s commitment to a seamless and resilient business environment," Kulkarni said.