Cabinet approves Rs 10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme Wednesday. An official statement said this aims to establish a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem in India. The cabinet also gave its nod to the Rs 7,395.55 crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY), and the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with a Rs 1,856.67 crore outlay.

The container manufacturing scheme will run for 13-years, aiming to increase annual domestic manufacturing capacity by around ten-fold, up to 750,000 TEUs by 2040. This scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026–27. According to official estimates, India's container traffic is projected to grow from about 24 million TEUs in 2024 to 175 million TEUs by 2047.

Also read: Cabinet hikes Dearness Allowance by 3% with Rs 10,000 crore allocation; check key announcements


Announcing the decision, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said this scheme is intended to support new manufacturing facilities as well as expansion of existing container manufacturing units.

"This scheme is a strong step to reduce import dependence," Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

The scheme has an Rs 8,891 crore outlay for Operational Expenditure Assistance (OEA). It provides financial assistance for all containers manufactured as per global shipping standards and sold by eligible container manufacturers. “It would also help bridge the cost gap and improve the competitiveness of domestically manufactured containers,” the statement said.

An Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA) of 3% per annum will also be offered. This will be eligible on term loans (capital loans) availed by container manufacturers for setting up of greenfield container manufacturing facilities and Brownfield expansion of existing container manufacturing capacities. An Rs 859 crore outlay has been earmarked for this purpose.

In another decision, the cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana. An official statement said this scheme is approved for implementation from 2026-27 to 2030-31 (co-terminus with the Sixteenth Finance Commission period). The scheme comprises a Central Share of Rs 4,869.48 crore and a State Share of Rs 2,526.07 crore.

The Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme will run from 2026 to 2033-34. The scheme aims to promote investment, manufacturing, innovation and exports, and strengthen India's position in the global sports goods sector.