The infra landscape of India is fundamentally changing, and the heart of it is the Gati Shakti Scheme. Conceived by the government and introduced as an initiative, it has literally rewritten the template for developing, executing, and delivering projects altogether. Here is how, according to Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, Gati Shakti has changed the pace of infrastructure growth, simplified governance, and catapulted the growth momentum of India.
Gati Shakti Scheme: A Unified Approach to Infrastructure
This scheme was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the guidance of which challenged the long-standing issues of planning and execution in the infrastructural sector. Under the earlier infrastructure in India, one experienced completion only after 8-10 years. Similarly, this project also rapidly progressed post-launch with the introduction of the Gati Shakti scheme.
At the heart of the Gati Shakti scheme lies its whole-of-government unified approach, integrating different departments and stakeholders, thereby cutting down bureaucratic delays. Under Gati Shakti, says Scindia, “Projects that were 8-10 years on their timeline have now started reaching fruition in a much short period.” Such an approach, being integrated in itself, not only has speeded up project timelines but allowed effective sharing of resources and brought out greater efficiency by connecting diverse sectors.
Impact on National Infrastructure Pipeline
This NIP is the biggest infrastructure development program ever thought up in India, valued at a whopping USD 1.5 trillion. These gigantic projects are given tremendous speed as synergies between departments and interdepartmental cooperation grow, while optimal usage of resources is also ensured by making use of the Gati Shakti scheme.
The most important objective of the Gati Shakti scheme is last-mile connectivity to key economic zones to ease the movement of goods and people. It does not only improve connectivity in the country but also enhances India’s productivity and global competitiveness, mainly in manufacturing.
Infrastructure as an Economic Multiplier
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the most powerful economic multiplier is infra and that the government’s infraction focus has been so robustly impactful on India’s economy. He added the Indian government has allocated record Rs 11.5 lakh crore for capital expenditure, marking one of the biggest boosts to the nation’s growth strategy.
Scindia said it is unprecedented, adding, “An allocation of Rs 11.5 lakh crore for capital infrastructure is perhaps unmatched in any country.” For instance, the combined GDP of 10-12 countries may not even reach this amount. And the annual capital expenditure allocation of India goes on increasing by 10-15% every year.
The Economic Impact: Driving Growth and Employment
Indeed, the financial impact of infrastructural investments cannot be overstated. Any rupee invested in the infraction has a multiplier impact on GDP of 2.5 to 3.5 times. Therefore, this amount can be translated into that if Rs 1 is expended, the country can see that amount multiplied by 2.5 to 3.5 times in GDP creation. Secondly, the infraction investment opens up ample opportunities for employment and other related developments, which give that kind of ripple effect that supports the economy at large also.
Infrastructural spending currently accounts for 5.3% of the GDP of India and is expected to projected to reach 6.5% in the year 2039. This move towards infrastructural spending is going to be much more aggressive and is poised to contribute a lot to making India a global economic superpower.
Under the Gati Shakti scheme, several key sectors have seen exceptional growth:
Road Sector: Allocations to the road sector have increased manifold from Rs 31,130 crore in 2013-14 to a whopping Rs 70,000 crore today. This has led to faster road development and better connectivity.
Aviation Sector: The numbers of operational airports in the country have increased more than two times, from 74 airports in 2014 to around 147 in today’s date. Such an increase is a definite indicator of how fast the country is upgrading its aviation infrastructures.
Railways: The railways sector too has experienced growth. India had only managed to lay 4 kilometers of railway tracks in a day in 2013-14. Today, it is around 15 kilometers in a day. This is a huge difference in rail infrastructure development.
All these developments reflect India’s efforts toward the modernization of its infrastructure and toward the development of a framework that can sustain long-term economic growth.
Conclusion: India’s Infrastructure Transformation
The Gati Shakti scheme is driving India’s infrastructure growth, speeding up the completion of projects, and fueling sectors such as roads, aviation, and railways. This swift progress is bringing India to a future position in the global economic order.
“Infrastructure is one of the biggest economic multipliers,” says Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Government investment and continued focus on infrastructure will be very important in unlocking India’s full potential and creating a prosperous future.
Refer :
ANI, Link to article
Also read : PM Gati Shakti Approves Rs 16 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Projects to Boost India’s Growth