India, a country known for its vast and diverse landscape, has recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the second-highest road length globally. This achievement is a testament to India’s infrastructure development and has profound socioeconomic implications for the nation. It shall be prudent to explore how India reached this milestone, its contributing factors, and the socioeconomic impact it has had on society
Factors behind increase in India’s road length:
Rapid urbanisation
India has been experiencing significant urbanisation in recent years, leading to an increased demand for transportation infrastructure. The growth of cities and towns has necessitated expanding and constructing new road networks. Today, India already has more than 35 per cent urbanised population.
Economic growth and Industrialisation
India’s robust economic growth and industrialisation have led to increased trade and commerce across the country. Since 2014 when the present government came to power under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, various measures have been taken to push economic growth. Today India has become 5th largest economy in the world. Despite and after COVID, we are the fastest growing economy in the world. This has resulted in a higher demand for efficient transportation systems, including road networks, to facilitate the movement of goods and services.
Government initiatives and investments
The biggest draw of Prime Minister Modi’s government has been its sustained focus on Infrastructure. The government has implemented various initiatives and invested heavily in infrastructure development, including roads. Under the guidance of Prime Minister, Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari has transformed the Highway sector in India. From 11km of highway construction per day pace in May 2014, India today is witnessing 35 km/day construction pace. Programs such as the Bharatmala Pariyojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana have played a crucial role in expanding the road network across rural and urban areas. More than 50,000 km of new and green field highway network has been added to the tally. India has spent more than 15 lakh crore in building this highway network in the last 9 years. These numbers are not only mind-boggling but are different globally.
Improved connectivity and accessibility
The expansion of India’s road network has significantly improved connectivity, especially in rural areas. This has resulted in better access to markets, healthcare facilities, education, and employment opportunities. Increased connectivity has also bridged the urban-rural divide, enabling the flow of goods, services, and ideas across regions. Today India’s every District is connected with National Highway; virtually today, every nuke and corner has been connected with this vast network of roads.
Boost to trade and commerce
According to a report, about 85 per cent of passenger traffic and 70 per cent of goods are transported by road every year. A well-connected road network has significantly boosted trade and commerce in India. It has facilitated the movement of goods and services, reducing transportation costs and enabling businesses to reach a wider market. This has increased economic activity, job creation, and overall economic growth. India logistic cost, which was around 18 per cent compared to global average of less than 12 per cent, has improved significantly over the last 9 years and is now very close to become globally competitive.
Enhanced tourism potential
India’s diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, and historical sites attract millions of domestic and international tourists each year. The improved road connectivity has made it easier for tourists to explore different regions of the country, resulting in increased tourism revenue and employment opportunities.
Reduction in transportation costs
The expansion of India’s road network has led to a reduction in transportation costs for both individuals and businesses. This has had a positive impact on the cost of living, as it becomes easier and more affordable to transport goods and people from one place to another. Reduced transportation costs also improve the competitiveness of Indian businesses in domestic and international markets.
Employment opportunities
Connectivity has improved significantly with the expansion of India’s road network, especially in rural areas. This has resulted in better access to markets, healthcare, education and employment opportunities. This connectivity has also reduced the urban-rural divide. The construction and maintenance of roads have created a significant number of employment opportunities, especially for the rural population. This has helped in reducing unemployment and poverty levels in these areas, leading to an overall improvement in the standard of living.
The expansion of the road network has improved connectivity, boosted trade and commerce, enhanced tourism potential, reduced transportation costs, and created employment opportunities. Credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team for their vision and commitment to make India a global super economic power. It is this vision that has brought this transformation on the ground in India’s infrastructure sector. Though the government has substantially increased its budgetary spending in Infrastructure since 2014 by almost three times, however, it is essential for the government to continue investing in the maintenance and development of these roads to ensure their long-term sustainability and reap the maximum benefits for the nation’s socioeconomic growth for the society at large.
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