I do not know if introduction of GST will add a point or two to our GDP. Nor do I know for sure if our GDP will get a leg up should we substantially improve the skills of our people, or if we have a digital India, or if we have Smart Cities.
FlashNews:
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Air India and IndianOil Sign SAF Supply Pact to Advance Net-Zero Aviation Goals
New HAM Bidding Norms May Sideline 25% of Road Developers, Says Crisil Ratings
INOX Wind Posts Record Q1 Profit, Strengthens Growth Outlook
Genesys International Q1 Profit Surges 32% on Strong Mapping Demand
Asia-Pacific to Drive 33% of Global Regional Jet Demand by 2045: Embraer
India Achieves 100 GW Solar PV Milestone with ALMM-Driven Expansion
Air India Accelerates $400 Million Fleet Retrofit Programme Across Widebody and Narrowbody Aircraft
ONGC Q1 FY2026 Net Profit Rises 18.2% to ₹115.5 Billion on Strong Gas Realisations and Offshore Gains
Centre Defends Ethanol Blending Programme Amid Mileage Concerns; Highlights $16.5 Billion Forex Savings
One has to be vigilant… PPP will survive if users are happy
First of all, when we talk about a project, it is not only about the project but the risks associated with it. When it is an Indian investor, the risks are lesser in nature. However, a foreign investor comes in looking at a lot of other risk factors as well.
There is no explicit government guarantee but we are hundred percent government owned
It-¦s a very relevant point since $1 trillion is required for infrastructure spending as estimated by the 12th Five Year Plan and you need long-term low-cost funds. Clearly, the major supplier of those, the public sector banks historically, are not going to be able to fill this requirement.
Hybrid modes of implementation
The Central government approved Smart Cities Mission involves the development of one hundred smart cities in India. One of the most important elements of smart city infrastructure is economical and environment friendly mass scale rapid public transport system.
The corridors are still in the nascent stages of development
This has not been largely used in the metro rail sector as yet, and this sector is still developing. It is to be noted that these projects take a long time to construct and the initial challenges of right of way need to be overcome.
Scaling the urban ladder
Rapid urbanisation has brought in a sling of progressive measures from the policy-makers. A transition has to set in to accommodate such exponential growth in the urban population.
Unravelling growth
At 4.87 million km, India has the second largest road network in the world. Transporting over 60 per cent of the country´s goods and serving 85 per cent of total passenger traffic, it is little wonder the Modi Government has accorded the highest priority to developing roads and highways.
Govt to award 10,000 km of NH for development
The major policy initiatives of MoRTH in recent past are as follows:
Exit Policy: The cabinet recently allowed private developers to exit all operational BOT projects two years from start of operations.
City development plan has to take into account the integration process
Pratap Padode, Founder & Director, Smart Cities Council India, talks about the Council´s capacity building programmes and issues ranging from technology to finance.
Back on the rails?
Indian Railways has been a victim of years of chronic underinvestment. Though ushering in the PPP mode and 100 per cent FDI for the sector are being perceived as a panacea, there are miles to cover before things get rolling.