The Economic Times

Union Budget 2026 puts Rs 5,000 crore bet on city economic regions to drive urban growth

India Budget 2026: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant urban development push, creating city economic regions (CERs) to boost growth in Tier II and III cities and temple towns. Each CER will receive Rs 5,000 crore over five years for development plans, implemented through a competitive, results-based financing mechanism.