Post-Budget Reaction from Ashish Raheja, CEO & MD, Raheja Universal

Ashish Raheja, CEO & MD, Raheja Universal, on Union Budget 2026

“The Union Budget 2026 reinforces the government’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth, with a substantial capital expenditure allocation of ₹12.2 lakh crore. Notably, the focus on building well-planned cities beyond the metros is a game-changer. The creation of city economic regions, with ₹50,000 crore allocated per region over five years, is expected to significantly enhance connectivity and urban infrastructure in Tier II and Tier III markets, unlocking new opportunities across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

The proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund is a pragmatic initiative that can mitigate construction-phase risks, encouraging greater private investment in large, long-gestation projects. This is also a positive signal for the commercial real estate sector. Additionally, the proposed tax holiday for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) is likely to drive demand for large-scale data centres and generate local employment.

Overall, these measures advance the broader vision of Viksit Bharat by fostering sustainable, liveable, and future-ready cities, benefiting both developers and homebuyers.”