Chander Agarwal, Managing Director, TCIEXPRESS, notes, “As rightly mentioned by the Finance Minister in his budget speech that infrastructure is the key growth driver of the economy and the government has made its intent clear to develop infrastructure in India by introducing several important measures. Logistics getting an infrastructure status last year, such focus to develop infrastructure in itself is a huge boost to the logistics sector. We welcome government’s decision to allocate of Rs 5.35 Lakh crore to develop 35,000 km under phase 1 as part of Bharatmala project. We also welcome other important initiatives like the decision to boost the MSME sector by allocating Rs 3,794 crore in the form of capital support; initiative to set-up National Logistics Portal as a single online window to link all stakeholders and decision to allocate Rs 2.4 lakh towards smart cities development will push the need for express companies like TCIEXPRESS. All these along with other important measures like introduction of digital payment models like pay-as-you-use system for toll payments will enable a cashless economy and will promote ethical and transparent business. Overall this is a very good budget and these initiatives will bolster the need for express companies and help us operate efficiently. Ultimately, it will help in contributing more towards the GDP.”