Since Narendra Modi took office as the Prime Minister of India, the country has experienced tremendous growth in its infrastructure sector. From roads to highways, railways to airports, there has been massive development, with impressive numbers to show for it. PM Modi's visionary approach to work, quick decision-making, and efficient government have significantly accelerated the pace of development across the nation. The development model implemented by the Modi government has earned recognition and appreciation from the people of India. Based on this, political experts predict that the Modi government will be elected for a third consecutive term.
PM Modi inaugurating Namo Bharat Train (Narendra Modi Photo) LINK
Infrastructure Developments in the Modi Era
Airports and Railways
Image Source: Wikipedia
According to the Press Information Bureau India, India has witnessed remarkable progress in its transportation infrastructure under the Modi government. Before 2014, there were 74 operational airports in the country, but now, there are 158, with 84 airports built in the last decade alone. Similarly, the Indian Railways has seen a significant modernization drive, with over 25,000 kilometers of new tracks laid and railway electrification reaching 94%. Safety measures have been boosted, with the elimination of unmanned rail crossings and the introduction of bio-toilets and GPS-based tracking systems. Passengers now enjoy a safer, cleaner, and more efficient travel experience thanks to online reservation platforms and improved amenities.
The introduction of initiatives like the Dedicated Freight Corridor and indigenous semi-high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express and Namo Bharat signifies a new era of speed and innovation in railway transportation. According to PIB India, more than 100 Vande Bharat train services are operational across Indian Railways, with an impressive overall occupancy rate of 96.62% during 2022-23. Furthermore, the expansion of India's Metro Rail system has revolutionized urban commuting, with the network set to increase from 248 km in 2014 to an impressive 945 km by 2024. In 2014, Metro Rail was available in only 5 cities in India. But now, it serves a whopping 21 cities across the country! And that's not all – there are currently 919 kilometers of new Metro lines being built in 26 more cities.
In a landmark decision towards sustainable development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Union Cabinet's approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership aims to assist Indian Railways in achieving the ambitious goal of 'net zero carbon emission' by 2030.
Additionally, India and Japan inked a significant Memorandum of Understanding for the ambitious bullet train project connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai along a 505-kilometer track. This high-speed marvel is set to revolutionize travel, zipping along at speeds of 300-350 kilometers per hour and slashing the journey time between the two bustling cities to just two hours. The futuristic train will traverse an elevated corridor for much of its route, leveraging existing railway tracks, promising a seamless and swift commute for passengers.
Roads and Highways
The transformation of national highways in India over the past decade has been nothing short of remarkable. According to the PIB India report, With a massive increase in budget allocation and construction pace, there has been a 500% boost in the road transport and highway budget allocation since 2014. This surge has led to significant improvements in infrastructure development. In fact, highway construction reached an impressive speed of 37 km per day in 2020-21, setting a new record for the fastest highway construction in India.
Furthermore, the National Highway (NH) network has expanded by a staggering 60% from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,145 km by 2023. The length of 4-laned NHs has more than doubled, increasing from 18,387 km in 2014 to 46,179 km by November 2023. The pace of NH construction has also seen a remarkable surge, with the average daily construction reaching 28.3 km, a 143% increase from the baseline of 12.1 km per day in 2014.
India's rural road infrastructure has also witnessed significant progress, with an impressive 3.74 lakh km of roads constructed since 2014 under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Currently, a remarkable 7.55 lakh km of rural roads have been completed, compared to 3.81 lakh km of roads in 2013-14, signifying a substantial improvement in connectivity and accessibility in rural areas.
Various Corridors
Over 2,500 kilometers of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are now completed, promising benefits for both passenger and freight trains. Every station along the corridor is geared to receive these advantages. The corridor's impact is significant: transporting goods via trucks and tankers on roads is time-consuming and costly. With the dedicated freight corridor, speed increases, enabling large trucks loaded with goods to be efficiently transported by trains. This marks a substantial leap forward in transportation efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
In March 2019, Prime Minister Modi unveiled the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, envisioning a transformative makeover for the revered Kashi Vishwanath Mandir complex in Varanasi, nestled along the banks of the sacred River Ganga. The project's dual purpose was to streamline travel between the temple and the River Ganga while also alleviating overcrowding by expanding available space. Fast forward to December 13, 2021, and Modi proudly inaugurated the corridor amidst a sacred ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the enhancement of one of India's holiest pilgrimage sites.
Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for two new corridors as part of Delhi Metro's Phase 4 expansion. Under his leadership, the Union Cabinet gave the green light for these corridors, signaling a significant step towards enhancing public transportation in the capital. The approved corridors, linking Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha lines, promise to greatly improve Metro connectivity across Delhi.
With an estimated cost of Rs 8,399 crore, funding for the project will come from the Government of India, the Government of Delhi, and international financing bodies. These corridors, spanning a total of 20.762 kilometers, are designed to seamlessly connect commuters across different parts of the city, ensuring smoother and more efficient travel for Delhi's residents.
Creating Jobs
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, job creation has surged, with 1.5 times more jobs generated in the past 10 years compared to the previous administration. India's startup ecosystem has flourished, boasting over 1.25 lakh startups and ranking as the third-largest globally. Notably, young entrepreneurs are spearheading this growth, launching new ventures even in smaller cities, thereby creating numerous job opportunities.
Furthermore, the Indian real estate market has experienced significant growth and sustainability over the past decade, thanks to various structural reforms implemented under Modi's leadership. According to a report by the National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco), jobs in the sector soared by 31 million, reaching a total of 71 million in 2023. This underscores the positive impact of government initiatives on employment and economic growth in the country.
What’s Next in the Infra Cycle?
The Modi government is committed to continuing its efforts to improve infrastructure and drive development at an even faster pace in the next five years. According to their manifesto, significant plans are in store for the railways. The government aims to construct over 5000 kilometers of railway tracks annually and increase passenger carrying capacity by 2030 to reduce waiting lists significantly. They also plan to extend the project of revamping railway stations to world-class standards to all major and medium-sized stations, while expanding the network coverage of new-generation trains like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains. Additionally, the launch of Vande sleeper trains promises a comfortable overnight journey for passengers, and the expansion of metro networks to more cities is on their agenda as well.
The Modi Government has its sights set on bolstering the aviation sector, aiming to take it to new heights. Their plans include the development of new airports, upgrading existing ones, and expanding international airports. With these ambitious initiatives, the government is paving the way for smoother travel experiences and enhanced connectivity, ensuring that India's aviation sector continues to soar.
The Modi government promises to elevate India's road network to world-class standards. They pledge to expand the PM Gram Sadak Yojana to even the most remote areas, ensuring connectivity reaches every corner of the country. Moreover, the government plans to build more highways and ring roads to enhance mobility and ease congestion in cities.
The Modi government is on a mission to fortify waterways and shipping, aiming to boost both capacity and efficiency. They plan to enhance the capacity of inland waterways and extend water metro services to all feasible regions. Additionally, the government pledges to ramp up green hydrogen production capacity, invest in nuclear energy, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources. Thus, with the ambitious plans and promises of the Modi Government, the next five years are poised to be transformative for India's infrastructure sector. The country is set to undergo major developments, leading to improvements in connectivity, attracting foreign investments, and propelling India towards global leadership. These advancements will not only bolster India's position on the world stage but also bring the nation closer to its goal of becoming a developed powerhouse. As the government focuses on enhancing every aspect of infrastructure, from roads and railways to aviation and waterways, the future looks promising for India's journey towards progress and prosperity.
Comentarios