In the emphasis on railways, energy, port corridors and tourism, Budget ignores the lessons learnt from climate disasters, makes no provisions to tackle pollution
A goods train runs across the Sharavati river.
Image: Shutterstock
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Speech 2024 references the ‘Panchamrit’ goals of India’s international commitments of net-zero by 2070 made at CoP26 of the UNFCC; However, the Budget’s focus on “unprecedented development, and golden moments to realise the dream of developed India @ 2047” entirely dominates, at the cost of environment and of India’s climate commitments.
A focus for railways for “energy, mineral and cement corridors” will be implemented under the more-than-trillion-dollar PM Gati Shakti (which “will also help in safety and higher speed travel for passenger trains”).
The Budget’s focus on energy and minerals emphasises our ever-increasing reliance on mineral extraction, especially coal, a primary driver of the climate crisis.
‘Coal – Indian Energy Choice’ proclaims the website of the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. As India’s energy needs expand due to our development needs, ever-increasing amounts of coal are extracted from eco-sensitive areas. Even as tree-felling to extract coal began in December 2023, local protests spanning 22 months intensified in Hariharpur, a village in the 1,700 square-kilometre eco-sensitive forests of Hasdeo in Chhattisgarh.
The Budget also focuses on a need for “port connectivity corridors”. Railway corridors will clear the way for faster development of other eco-sensitive areas along our coasts and vulnerable islands. The Lakshadweep Islands were specifically mentioned for accelerated development in the Budget Speech; other plans which will decimate ecologically fragile areas include the plan for a mega-port and airport at the Great Nicobar Island.