Budget 2019: Rlys capex at all-time high; budgetary support cut for NHAI

The interim Budget for 2019-20 (FY20) was a mixed bag for the transportation sector. While the railways lined up its highest-ever capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 1.58 trillion and an all-time high budgetary support of Rs 64,587 crore, the road and aviation sectors did not have much to smile about.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) must gear up for higher fundraising through borrowings and monetisation of road assets as the government has reduced its budgetary support by Rs 631.63 crore. It has increased the authority’s borrowing limit by 21 per cent to Rs 75,000 crore for FY20.