The economic slump that followed after Covid-19 hit India did not deter the country from rolling out massive infrastructure investments even during the pandemic.
The country is constructing tunnel roads, highways and rails at breakneck speeds. It also plans to integrate more electric vehicles (EVs) into its public and private transportation and hints at becoming the world’s largest EV producer in the next five years.
In the Economic article times, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced India’s ongoing ambitious infrastructure projects.
The government aims to add another 60 thousand kilometres of national highway to its current 1.3 million kilometres within five years. Twenty-two new express highways are in the works, including the one trillion rupees Delhi-Mumbai express corridor, which the government is confident of completing within two years. The construction of new tunnel roads will increase connectivity around the country.
India also plans to curb its carbon emission by 30-35% by 2030, reduce its crude oil imports and transition to green fuel and electricity using its ethanol production capability.
By 2030 the country plans to incorporate 30% of EV for private use, 70% for commercial use, 40% for public buses, and 80% for large vehicles. To accelerate EV uptakes, the government plans to put one electric charging station on each 69 thousand petrol pumps station across the country.
According to Minister Gadkari, its abundance of raw materials and the plummeting power costs back up India’s aspiration to transition for a greener economy.
The country is one of the world’s top producers of ethanol, which can be tapped to give them additional alternative energy sources and open new economic opportunities – employment and new markets for alternative fuel vehicles (flex vehicles).
To speed up the construction of highways, the government has relaxed technical and financial requirements to allow the broad participation of engineers and builders. It will use a tolling system to finance its roadway constructions.
Infrastructure development is expected to continue at a pace in India over the next few decades, which will provide significant boosts to economic competitiveness and service levels.
Longer-term effective infrastructure management will allow India to optimise the benefits of current and planned infrastructure investments.
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