Tag: economic growth

National

India to Build First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel Under Brahmaputra at Rs 18,662 Crore

Tanisha Cardozo

India has approved a transformative Rs 18,662-crore infrastructure project in Assam that will establish a four-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor connecting Numaligarh on NH-715 and Gohpur on NH-15. At present, this journey of 240 km takes six hours via Kaliabhambhora near Silghat on NH-52. The new corridor, featuring India’s first underwater road-and-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River, will dramatically improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and provide significant socio-economic benefits to Assam and neighbouring northeast states including Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

The project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, will be developed under an engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) model. The corridor passes through key locations such as Numaligarh, Kaziranga National Park, and Biswanath town, linking 11 economic nodes, 3 social nodes, 2 tourist nodes, 4 major railway stations, 2 airports, and 2 inland waterways. Once completed, it will facilitate seamless multi-modal integration, enhance freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and unlock new avenues for trade, industrial development, and regional economic growth.

Strategically, the tunnel and corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening connectivity between major economic centres in the northeast and supporting national security priorities. In line with these initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently made a historic landing at the first emergency landing field in the northeast aboard a C-130J aircraft, highlighting the growing strategic importance of the Dibrugarh-Moran stretch of national highways. The combination of infrastructure, connectivity, and strategic planning underscores India’s commitment to the development and integration of its northeast region.

Finance

Union Budget 2026’s Infrastructure Push to Boost Real Estate Demand: Gaurav Pandey

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Commenting on the Union Budget 2026, Mr. Gaurav Pandey, Co-Chairman, FICCI Committee on Urban Development and Real Estate, and Managing Director & CEO of Godrej Properties, said the budget continues a strong focus on infrastructure-led growth, marked by a record capital expenditure of INR 12.2 lakh crore.


He noted that the sustained emphasis on urban development, connectivity, and city-led growth reflects the government’s long-term vision for economic expansion. Measures such as the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, expansion of transport corridors, and support for city economic regions are expected to have a positive impact on real estate demand over the medium term.
Mr. Pandey further stated that the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and long-term growth creates a stable macroeconomic foundation, strengthening confidence across sectors and supporting sustained economic expansion.

Business

Budget Push on MSME Growth Funds Strengthens Access to Capital and Digital Scale: Justdial

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs continue to remain one of the strongest drivers of entrepreneurship, employment and economic momentum. Commenting on the Union Budget’s focus on the sector, Shwetank Dixit, Chief Growth Officer at Justdial, said the creation of a ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, along with a ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund, marks a significant step in strengthening long-term MSME growth.


According to Dixit, the measures directly address three long-standing challenges faced by MSMEs—limited access to equity capital, inconsistent liquidity and delayed payments. He noted that structural reforms such as improved integration of platforms like the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) could help improve cash flows and bring greater predictability to payment cycles.

Dixit also highlighted the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and simplified business processes as a critical enabler for MSMEs. As small businesses increasingly adopt digital platforms for discovery, market expansion and productivity gains, these initiatives provide a stronger foundation for sustainable scaling.

He added that a consistent policy focus on digital adoption and financial access will allow MSMEs to grow with greater confidence, efficiency and resilience.

Business

India’s Grandest Wedding Season Ever: 46 Lakh Marriages to Fuel a Celebration Boom Worth ₹6.5 Lakh Crore

Tanisha Cardozo

India is stepping into a season of celebration unlike any other. Between November 1 and December 14, 2025, the country will host a staggering 46 lakh weddings, marking the biggest wedding season in its history. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) estimates that these festivities will generate an unprecedented ₹6.5 lakh crore in business — a figure that captures not only the grandeur of Indian weddings but also their growing role as an economic engine.

Across India, wedding planners, jewelers, designers, caterers, and decorators are preparing for a historic boom. The industry has become a reflection of both cultural pride and economic resilience. From opulent destination weddings to intimate traditional ceremonies, each event contributes to a vast ecosystem that fuels everything from gold demand to employment opportunities.

Delhi, the capital of celebrations, will lead this wave with 4.8 lakh weddings, driving ₹1.8 lakh crore in expenditure. The city’s markets, venues, and services are already buzzing with bookings months in advance — from bridal couture and bespoke jewelry to five-star catering and themed decor.

Breaking down the nationwide spending, jewellery accounts for 15%, followed by apparel and sarees at 10%, catering at 10%, event management at 5%, and other key categories like electronics, sweets, and décor making up the rest. The services sector alone — including photography, travel, music bands, floral décor, and sound & lighting — is expected to see its strongest season in years.

What makes this wedding season especially remarkable is its “Vocal for Local” transformation. Over 70% of wedding-related purchases are expected to come from Indian-made products and services, from handwoven bridal sarees and homegrown jewelry labels to local floral artisans and food vendors. This growing preference for local craftsmanship underscores a cultural shift — one where tradition meets conscious consumerism.

Beyond the shimmer and song, the economic impact runs deep. This 45-day wedding season is projected to create more than 1 crore jobs, including temporary and part-time employment across sectors like hospitality, logistics, and event management. The celebrations are also expected to generate ₹75,000 crore in tax revenue, bolstering the national and regional economies during the festive quarter.

Every wedding in India has long been a blend of family, faith, and festivity. But in 2025, it also becomes a story of enterprise and empowerment — a celebration that brings together artisans, designers, planners, and dreamers under one grand canopy. As lights adorn city streets and music fills the air, India’s wedding season stands not only as a cultural phenomenon but as a testament to the country’s economic vitality and evolving identity.

A nation made for celebration is now proving that when India marries, the world takes notice.

Business

India’s GST Collection Reaches ₹1.96 Trillion in July 2025By Allycaral News Desk | Updated August 2025

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India has reported a substantial Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection of ₹1.96 trillion (₹1,96,000 crore), or approximately $22.4 billion, for the month of July 2025. This impressive figure marks one of the highest collections since the introduction of the GST system in 2017.

The robust revenue performance reflects sustained economic activity, increased domestic consumption, and a wider tax base with improved compliance. It also highlights the effectiveness of ongoing measures by the Goods and Services Tax Council and the Ministry of Finance to curb tax evasion and simplify tax processes.

Analysts attribute the rise to enhanced reporting systems, digitization of returns, increased audits, and sectoral reforms that are helping plug revenue leakages.

According to the Ministry of Finance, revenues from domestic transactions—including services and goods—showed notable growth year-on-year, while settlement of IGST among states also contributed to the total inflow.

The GST regime, often regarded as the biggest tax reform in India, was launched to unify the country’s complex indirect tax structure and improve transparency. Over the years, it has emerged as a reliable barometer for India’s formal economic activity.

As the country progresses toward its 2025–26 fiscal goals, consistent GST performance will remain crucial for infrastructure spending, welfare programs, and debt management.