ThePrint ThePrintAM: What are the projects announced in Budget for election-bound states?
Feb 2, 2026
They run through new infrastructure plans like seven proposed high-speed rail corridors and a dedicated east-west freight link. They highlight industrial moves such as rare-earth corridors and magnet manufacturing goals. They cover agricultural pushes for coconut, cashew and cocoa, plus ecotourism and pilgrimage circuit proposals. Political reactions and questions about fiscal clarity also come up.
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Rare-Earth Corridors To Cut Import Reliance
- The budget proposes dedicated rare-earth corridors in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to build a domestic integrated ecosystem for critical minerals.
- The move aims to cut import dependence and support EVs, renewables, electronics, aerospace and defence supply chains.
Sari Signals Before Elections
- Nirmala Sitharaman wore a magenta Kanjeevaram sari during the budget speech, echoing her previous cultural sartorial choices before elections.
- Last year she wore a Madhubani sari linked to Bihar's cultural heritage ahead of that state's polls.
Rejuvenate Coconut Plantations Now
- The finance minister proposed a coconut promotion scheme to replace old trees and boost productivity in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- States should adopt sapling replacement and productivity interventions to strengthen livelihoods tied to coconut farming.