Although there are no landmark announcements in this year?s Budget, a special thrust on transport infrastructure development and affordable housing will definitely gift some market opportunities to the CE segment.

The government?s focus on infrastructure development has been enhanced to Rs 3.96 lakh crore with the transport sector claiming Rs 2.40 lakh crore in fresh investments. All this is likely to drive the market for tippers, loader backhoe and vibratory compactors among others.

The demand for heavy commercial vehicles, which has already improved despite the demonetisation, is likely to jump this year due to higher construction and mining activity in the rural as well as urban areas, development of highways, coastal roads, railway stations, airports and smart cities.

The government has allocated a total of Rs 91,000 crore for roads and highways sector for 2017-18. While the Budget announced Rs 64,000 crore for roads and highways, the FM has earmarked Rs 27,000 crore for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in FY18. Development of around 2,000 km of coastal roads for better port connectivity is another announcement in this direction.

The announcement of infrastructure status to affordable housing is expected to provide a major boost to realty sector. Increased allocation for the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) from Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 23,000 crore will also be a relief to realty segment. Every year, Union Budget has given thrust on infrastructure development. However, there is nothing much for mining sector in this Budget which is at the brink of a new dawn.

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