Bhubaneswar, Feb. 1 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced major infrastructure initiatives with a strong focus on Odisha, aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable movement of cargo and strengthening logistics connectivity.

Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, Sitharaman said the Centre proposes to establish new dedicated freight corridors linking Dankuni in the east to Surat in the west. She also announced plans to operationalise 20 new waterways over the next five years, beginning with National Waterway-5 in Odisha.

The Finance Minister said National Waterway-5 will connect mineral-rich regions such as Talcher and Angul with key industrial hubs like Kalinganagar and provide seamless access to the ports ...