Infrastructure
Infrastructure
In this chapter, Nandan traces India’s changing focus on infrastructure development and explains how the introduction of private capital in sectors like telecom and airports has given a boost to infra investments and growth. Since reforms, the rise of an aggressive media and the new focus across the country for better roads and connectivity - in order to access our growing markets- has also brought enormous pressure and focus on the quality of public services. Spending in the sector has soared, and with it, our hopes for change.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Infrastructure has improved in leaps and bounds, no doubt about it.
-One of the biggest advantages of having great roads, high speed trains connecting places will be seen in the decongestion of the cities. India has a huge landmass. How much of that is really utilized for living? Why do we all have to crowd in to certain places?
-Power is a problem. The Pune model is a great example of how to tide over the crisis atleast in the short term. Generation capacity is the key. States like Maharashtra have not invested in creating any generation capacity for decades. We are seeing the problems being caused because of that. With private players coming in, the situation might ease a bit in the next few years. Captive power plants should be encouraged. We should invest in finding solutions for developing small nimble power generation units that can service city blocks of say 50000 people using alternative fuel technologies. Given that there is always going to be a power deficit for the next few years, the distribution model should be such that if you are willing to pay more, you get more consistent power.
-Every Chief Minister should have some KRA’s for the following which should be measured per year:-
-Creating capacity for power generation
-Reach of power and water supply
-Reach of roads - how many villages are connected
Any CM who defaults on these KRA’s in a year should summarily resign. Our constitution should be changed to accomodate that.