India’s Journey of Infrastructure Development
Why in News?
India’s infrastructure has undergone significant transformation over the past 25 years, driven by increased private sector participation and government initiatives. However, challenges persist, with nearly 90% of the required infrastructure yet to be developed to achieve the country’s ambitious goal of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047.
Achievements in India’s Infrastructure Sector by 2024
Roads and Highways
- Road Network Expansion: The road network has nearly tripled to 146,000 km since 2000, featuring modern access-controlled expressways and GPS-based toll systems.
- Fact: GPS-based toll systems ensure seamless toll collection and reduce congestion.
- Rural Roads: Since 2014, 3.74 lakh km of rural roads have been constructed, connecting over 99% of rural habitations.
- Definition: Rural habitations refer to small villages or settlements where populations previously lacked proper road access.
- Toll Collection: Toll collections have reached Rs 2.1 trillion over the past 25 years, showcasing robust private sector involvement.
- Fact: The toll collection process also facilitates funding for future infrastructure projects.
Railways
- High-Speed Rail: India’s first bullet train project is set for completion by 2026, with trainsets capable of running at 280 km/h.
- Definition: A bullet train is a high-speed passenger train designed for rapid transit between major cities.
- Electrification: As of December 2023, 93.83% of broad-gauge tracks were electrified, a significant rise from 21,801 km in 2014.
- Definition: Broad-gauge tracks have a distance of 5 feet 6 inches between the rails, offering better stability and capacity.
- Safety Improvements: Despite high-profile accidents, the past decade has seen a reduction in consequential railway accidents.
Maritime Sector
- Shipbuilding Ambitions: India plans to invest Rs 54 trillion to become a top-five shipbuilding nation by 2047.
- Fact: The shipbuilding sector supports global trade and enhances defense capabilities.
- Mega Ports: Projects like Galathea Bay and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor aim to boost trade connectivity.
- Sagarmala Projects: The government has launched 839 Sagarmala projects, focusing on port modernization and coastal connectivity with an investment of Rs 5.8 lakh crore.
- Definition: The Sagarmala initiative is a flagship program aimed at port-led development in India.
Aviation
- Flight Growth: Weekly domestic flights increased from 3,568 in 2000 to 22,484 in 2024.
- Fact: This expansion has democratized air travel, making it accessible to a larger population.
- Aircraft Orders: Air India and IndiGo have placed orders for over 1,000 planes, signaling long-term growth in the aviation sector.
- Airport Expansion: The total number of operational airports stands at 158, with 84 airports constructed between 2014 and 2024.
Urban Metro
- Metro Expansion: The metro network expanded from 248 km in 2014 to 945 km in 2024, now serving 21 cities and catering to 1 crore daily passengers.
- RRTS Development: Projects like the Namo Bharat train on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor are enhancing regional connectivity.
Ropeways Development
- Parvatmala Programme: 32 ropeway projects have been initiated to improve connectivity in difficult terrains and reduce urban congestion.
Challenges in India’s Infrastructure Sector
Stalled and Delayed Projects
- The Rs 10 trillion Bharatmala Project has been shelved due to red tape.
- The Vision 2047 plan worth Rs 20 trillion has been deferred, reflecting a shift in policy focus.
Financial Constraints
- Significant investments are required to meet the USD 30 trillion economy goal, with 90% of infrastructure still to be built.
- Underutilization of resources hampers large-scale projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
Sluggish Progress
- Railway route expansion remains slow, with an average of 231 km of new tracks added annually since 2000.
- Contract awarding for highway projects dropped significantly, with only 1,152 km awarded by August 2024.
Private Sector Dependency
- While private involvement has grown, recycling of capital for projects remains challenging.
- Definition: Recycling of capital involves selling non-core assets to reinvest in profitable ventures.
- Equity concerns persist, as private corporations received Rs 1.4 trillion of Rs 2.1 trillion toll collections since 2000.
Maritime Disruption
- Global conflicts like the Ukraine and Gaza wars have disrupted supply chains, affecting India’s shipbuilding ambitions.
Aviation Sector Bottlenecks
- Intense competition has led to bankruptcies of airlines such as Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, and Go First.
- Consolidation between IndiGo and privatized Air India raises concerns about monopolistic tendencies.
Government Initiatives for Infrastructure Development
Major Programs
- PM Gati Shakti Scheme: Focuses on integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects.
- Bharatmala Scheme: Aims to develop a robust highway network across the country.
- National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP): Provides a roadmap for infrastructure investments.
- Sagarmala Project: Enhances port-led development.
- UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik): Aims to make air travel affordable for common citizens.
Key Strategies
- Integrated Infrastructure: Ensures projects complement each other to reduce delays and duplication.
- Safer Infrastructure: Initiatives like KAVACH and Advanced Traffic Management Systems improve safety.
- Green Technologies: Transition to EVs and adoption of alternative fuels under schemes like FAME-II reduce carbon emissions.
- Technological Integration: Use of tools like FASTags for toll payments and Digiyatra apps for airport check-ins enhances convenience.
- Policy Reforms: Regulatory changes aim to boost private investment in ports, railways, and aviation.
Conclusion
India’s infrastructure journey reflects remarkable progress, with achievements in road networks, railways, aviation, maritime, and urban transport. However, challenges like financial constraints, project delays, and global disruptions need to be addressed. Strategic integration of green technologies, policy reforms, and public-private collaboration will be pivotal in achieving the ambitious goal of a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047. The government’s initiatives and reforms promise a resilient infrastructure ecosystem, essential for India’s sustainable growth.
