Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed to construct expressways under PM Gati Shakti Master Plan in the Budget 2022 

The National Highway network will be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-2023, Rs. 20,000 crore will be mobilized through innovative ways, said the Finance Minister.

Innovative ways of financing and faster implementation will be encouraged for building metro systems of appropriate type at scale. Multimodal connectivity between mass urban transport and railway

stations will be facilitated on priority. Design of metro systems, including civil structures, will be re-oriented and standardized for Indian conditions and needs, Ms. Sitharaman mentioned in the Budget.

With technical support from the Capacity Building Commission, central ministries, state governments, and their infra-agencies will have their skills upgraded. This will ramp up capacity in planning, design,

financing (including innovative ways), and implementation management of the PM GatiShakti infrastructure projects, she mentioned in the Budget.

“As a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat, 2,000 km of the network will be brought under Kavach, the indigenous world-class technology for safety and capacity augmentation in 2022-23. Four hundred new-generation Vande Bharat Trains with better energy efficiency and passenger riding experience will be developed and manufactured during the next three years”

“One hundred PM GatiShakti Cargo Terminals for multimodal logistics facilities will be developed during the next three years. Mass Urban Transport including Connectivity to Railways”. Ms. Sitharaman stated in the Budget.

Battery Swapping policy:  Finance Minister has also proposed swapping of batteries to encourage use of electric vehicles. She said that considering the constraint of space in urban areas for setting up charging stations at scale, a battery swapping policy will be brought out and inter-operability standards will be formulated. “The private sector will be encouraged to develop sustainable and innovative business models for ‘Battery or Energy as a Service. This will improve efficiency in the EV ecosystem”, Finance Minister said.

Ropeway project:  As a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative to conventional roads in difficult hilly areas, National Ropeways Development Programme will be taken up on PPP mode. The aim is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism. This may also cover congested urban areas, where a conventional mass transit system is not feasible. Contracts for 8 ropeway projects for a length of 60 km will be awarded in 2022-23, said Finance Minister.