Building Bharat : Powering Infrastructure Through Make in India

Building Bharat – Powering Infrastructure Through Make in India

Context & Relevance:

The article focuses on India’s transformative infrastructure growth under the umbrella of the Make in India initiative, highlighting how strategic interventions across roads, railways, ports, urban transit, and aviation are boosting economic growth, manufacturing, and global competitiveness. This is highly relevant for UPSC Prelims (GS Paper III – Infrastructure, Economy) and Mains (GS Paper III – Economic Development, Industrial Policy, Transport, and Urban Planning).

Key Highlights:

1. Make in India as a Growth Catalyst:
   • Focus on industrial growth, domestic manufacturing, and integrated infrastructure development.
   • Aligns national infrastructure projects with industrial expansion to attract investments, employment, and innovation.
2. Major Infrastructure Initiatives:
   • Bharatmala Pariyojana:
     • Development of economic corridors, expressways, and connectivity roads.
     • 26,425 km awarded out of 34,800 km; 19,826 km constructed.
     • Total expenditure: ₹4,92,562 crore.
   • Sagarmala Programme:
     • Port-led development to enhance manufacturing & export capabilities.
     • 839 projects identified worth ₹5.79 lakh crore; 272 completed (₹1.41 lakh crore invested).
   • PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan:
     • Multi-modal connectivity integration across 16 ministries.
     • 115 highway/road projects (~13,500 km, ₹6.38 lakh crore) evaluated.
   • National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP):
     • 12 new industrial areas approved (₹28,602 crore) across 10 states.
     • Promotes planned urbanisation and smart manufacturing hubs.
3. Rail & Urban Transport:
   • Vande Bharat Trains: 136 operational trains; semi-high-speed, indigenously designed.
   • Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: 1,337 stations identified for upgradation.
   • Metro Rail Expansion: 248 km (2014) → 1,011 km (2025); Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) integrated.
4. Civil Aviation:
   • Operational airports increased from 74 (2014) → 159 (2025).
   • Domestic air passenger traffic record: >5 lakh in a day (Nov 17, 2024).
   • Expansion of Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) enhances pilot training capacity.
5. Landmark Projects Showcasing India’s Engineering Prowess:
   • Atal Tunnel: World’s longest highway tunnel.
   • Chenab Bridge: World’s highest railway bridge.
   • Statue of Unity: World’s tallest statue.
   • Zojila Tunnel: Asia’s longest tunnel.

Significance for India:

• Improves logistics efficiency and reduces transport costs.
• Boosts domestic manufacturing & industrial competitiveness, aligning with Make in India.
• Promotes regional connectivity, economic corridors, and urban development.
• Enhances export potential, strengthening India’s position as a global trade and manufacturing hub.
• Demonstrates indigenous technological and engineering capabilities, fostering self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
  
  
  

Updated  -  01 APR 2025 8:13PM | PIB