Union Budget 2020 Commentary

By Ola Mobility Institute

The budget’s focus on the development of transportation infrastructure, specifically on urban transportation through allocation of funds for metro-rail projects will help achieve Ease of Living through Ease of Moving. The transportation infrastructure development should also focus on accessibility to all including senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Sub-urban rail will boost multi-modal connectivity and open up new economic opportunities for areas in and around cities like Bengaluru.

The clean-air fund of Rs 4,400 crores to be provided in the form of incentives to be notified by MoEFCC should consider measures to link the incentives to the electrification of vehicles and associated infrastructure such as battery-swapping and charging.

The government’s recognition of the role of New Economy in the form of aggregator platforms and sharing economy is a significant step towards encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. The universal pension coverage with auto-enrolment realises the long-felt need of mobile social security for workers will boost the platform economy.