

From spending to systems: How 2026 could shape India’s infrastructure cycle
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected]. India’s infrastructure sector is at an inflection point.
After four years of significant public capital expenditure, the discussion has moved from debating if spending should continue to determining how it should evolve. This is a decisive move from a spending-led approach to a systems-driven strategy, based on execution reforms, asset monetization, and corridor-based planning. The sector is expected to accelerate its expansion in 2026, driven by a sharper focus on timely execution, private investment, corridor-based planning, and the green transition.
The coming year will bring a blend of regulatory streamlining, mega-project momentum, and new financing models across transport, energy, and logistics. Since FY21, central capital expenditure has increased more than three-fold to an estimated ₹11.1 trillion in FY25. Infrastructure has been the primary beneficiary, serving as both a long-term productivity investment and a counter-cyclical growth lever.
However, with fiscal consolidation now a priority, Budget 2026 will likely emphasize the efficiency of capital and programme outcomes, and private participation over sheer outlays. Roads and highways have historically received the largest share of India’s infrastructure capex. From FY20 to FY24, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) awarded over 45,000 km of projects, while construction consistently exceeded 10,000 km annually.
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