Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled ambitious plans for ecologically sustainable mountain trains and hiking trails in key hill regions of India while presenting the 2026 Budget in New Delhi. The announcement highlights the government's focus on promoting tourism while ensuring environmental conservation.
Mountain Trains and Hiking Trails in Hill Regions
The government plans to introduce mountain trains in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, as well as in the Araku Valley in the Eastern Ghats and Pudigai Malai in the Western Ghats. These initiatives aim to enhance connectivity and provide unique travel experiences in these picturesque areas.
In addition to mountain trains, special wildlife tourism trails are also on the agenda. These include turtle trails along nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala, and bird-watching routes around Pulicat Lake. Sitharaman emphasized that India has the potential and opportunity to offer world-class trekking and hiking experiences, which could boost local economies and promote eco-tourism.
Push for Sustainable Passenger Transport
The Budget outlines a major push for environmentally sustainable passenger transport across the country. Seven high-speed rail corridors are planned, linking key cities such as Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri.
These high-speed rail routes are designed to cut travel times significantly, reduce emissions, and connect major economic and technology hubs. By improving rail infrastructure, the government aims to provide faster and cleaner alternatives to road and air travel, contributing to India's sustainability goals.
Freight Corridors and National Waterways
Beyond passenger transport, the Budget also includes plans for new dedicated freight corridors and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years. These measures are part of a broader strategy to reinforce the focus on cleaner, faster, and more sustainable transport systems.
The development of national waterways is expected to reduce congestion on roads and railways, lower logistics costs, and minimize the environmental impact of freight movement. Together with the mountain trains and hiking trails, these initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to modernizing India's transport infrastructure while prioritizing ecological balance.
