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:
FLY91 Strengthens Leadership Team with Seasoned Aviation Executives to Drive Regional Growth
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Civil Aviation Minister Naidu Expands Pilot Training Network with 11 New FTOs
INS Malvan Commissioned with AM/NS India Steel Backbone
Air India Names Tewolde Gebremariam CEO & MD to Drive Global Expansion
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Crosses 5 Million Rooftop Solar Installations
Delhi Airport Expands Domestic Network to 90 Destinations with Launch of Direct Flights to Daman
Jupiter Wagons, Lucchini RS to Build India’s First Fully Integrated Private‑Sector Railwheel Manufacturing Platform
Willie Walsh Takes Charge as IndiGo CEO
Indian Railways Posts 9% Freight Growth in July 2026
PM Modi Dedicates POWERGRID Transmission Projects for Clean Energy in Andhra Pradesh
AM/NS India Highlights Long‑Life Solar Infrastructure with Magnelis for 300 GW Ambition
RECPDCL Hands Over Ryapte Transmission SPV to Tata Power
India’s Rooftop Solar Push Accelerates as PM Surya Ghar Nears 5 Million Homes
PM Modi Looks East to Future After Bhogapuram Airport Unveiling
India Approves ₹50.7 Billion Scheme for Floating Solar Projects with Energy Storage
Air India, SkyDrive, and Suzuki Join Forces to Explore eVTOL Medical Logistics in India
REC, PFC Seal ₹268.5 Billion Loan Deal for 2,400 MW Meja Thermal Project
Tata Power Renewables Breaks Ground on 800 MW Hybrid Project in Andhra Pradesh
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.







