The Gujarat government on Wednesday presented its largest-ever state budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, unveiling a Rs. 4,08,053 crore outlay as Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai tabled the annual financial plan in the Assembly.
With no new taxes announced and an estimated surplus of Rs. 974 crore, the budget marks a significant expansion in state spending, particularly aimed at sports infrastructure, tourism, urban development and social welfare.
Desai flagged the budget as historic, stressing its role in positioning Gujarat for future growth and global sporting prominence. The overall size reflects an increase of over Rs. 37,800 crore (10.2%) compared with the previous financial year, reinforcing the government’s intent to balance ambitious developmental goals with fiscal prudence.
Massive Allocation For Sports Ahead Of 2030 Commonwealth Games
A standout feature of the budget is the push towards making Gujarat a centre for world-class sports. With Ahmedabad designated to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the state has proposed substantial funding to upgrade existing facilities and build new ones.
A total of Rs. 1,331 crore has been earmarked for the sports department, underlining the government’s strategic focus on sports infrastructure. Of this, Rs. 1,278 crore will be directed toward preparing Ahmedabad as an “Olympic Ready City”, including development of international-level complexes and connectivity enhancements around key venues.
The budget also proposes Rs. 500 crore for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, a signature project expected to anchor elite training and competitions. District-level sports complexes are set to get Rs. 165 crore, while specialized facilities such as an Olympic-standard centre in Karai (Rs. 100 crore), a Para High Performance Centre in Gandhinagar (Rs. 100 crore), and a world-class hockey stadium (Rs. 90 crore) have also been funded.
Sports activists have long argued that Gujarat’s athletic potential has been under-supported despite hosting major events and having large fan bases for cricket and other disciplines. The new allocations have the potential to transform the state into a national sports hub — provided execution matches lofty plans and funds translate into ground-level facilities accessible to athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Tourism, Urban Projects And Connectivity Gains Weight
Beyond sports, the budget signals strong emphasis on tourism and urban development. The government has launched 2026 as ‘Gujarat Tourism Year’, aiming to elevate the state’s appeal both nationally and internationally. Allocations include Rs. 236 crore for facilities around the iconic Statue of Unity and Rs. 300 crore toward the Ambaji Corridor Masterplan. Investments have also been earmarked for iconic bus stations in Somnath and Ambaji (Rs. 447 crore) and beach destination upgrades.
Urban infrastructure projects are also set to benefit. Large-scale schemes include Rs. 16,116 crore for the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhya Mantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, investments in rapid transit systems between major cities, and funds for climate-resilient road networks and smart parking systems.
Sectoral Allocations Reflect Economic And Social Priorities
The budget allocates significant funds across key government departments. Health and family welfare will receive over Rs. 25,400 crore, while agriculture and farmers’ welfare has been provided more than Rs. 24,000 crore to support irrigation, mechanisation and rural investment. Education will see a boost with Rs. 3,055 crore dedicated to improving primary and secondary school infrastructure.
Other sectors, such as women and child development, social justice, and tribal development, also continued to receive focus, reflecting attempts to expand welfare coverage.
However, critics note that despite the impressive size of allocations, many schemes’ success will hinge on effective implementation. Experts caution that past allocations for certain welfare and livelihood programmes have seen underutilisation, raising questions about delivery mechanisms even as overall budget size grows.
Farmers, Citizens And Social Welfare
The budget session also highlighted major support measures for citizens. Governor Acharya Devvrat noted that over Rs. 9,610 crore had already been disbursed as crop damage compensation to more than 33 lakh farmers affected by unseasonal rains. Central schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi have also delivered significant financial support to rural families.
Healthcare provisions under schemes like PMJAY-MA have been increased, with around Rs. 3,472 crore allocated to expand cashless treatment access and introduce specialised services — including IVF facilities in key cities.
Balancing Ambition With Accountability
While the Budget reveals an ambitious vision for Gujarat — from global sports stages to smarter cities, enhanced citizen care and rural empowerment — it also raises questions about prioritisation and implementation. Massive allocations for iconic facilities and tourism infrastructure must be matched with accountability and timely execution to ensure that the intended benefits reach communities and athletes alike.
For a state with robust economic indicators and high growth aspirations, translating fiscal intent into tangible public impact will be the real test of the 2026–27 Budget’s success.
Also Read: Budget Session 2025: Congress Stages Protest Over Gujarat Healthcare Corruption https://www.vibesofindia.com/budget-session-2025-congress-stages-protest-over-gujarat-healthcare-corruption/
