India's Growth Journey and Infrastructure Development
India has experienced a significant transformation in its economic standing, advancing from the world's 10th largest economy in 2014 to the fourth largest in terms of GDP. This progress is aided by leveraging advanced technology and transforming both physical and digital infrastructures to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Urbanisation and Infrastructure Investments
India's urbanisation is at a crucial juncture, driven by significant rural to urban migration. Infrastructure and logistics, previously seen as obstacles, have become essential growth enablers. The government allocated Rs 11.21 lakh crore for infrastructure development, marking a vital move toward economic expansion and urban transformation.
Key Initiatives
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
- Launched on 25th June 2015 to enhance urban living by improving water supply, sewerage, transport, and green spaces.
- AMRUT 2.0, introduced in 2021, focuses on water security and city self-reliance, targeting universal sewerage management in 500 cities.
- Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
- Introduced in 2015 to create economically vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments.
- Focuses on strategic infrastructure investments and governance improvements to enhance urban living.
- PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP)
- Launched in 2021 to enhance multimodal infrastructure across seven key sectors including railways, roads, and logistics.
Sector-wise Progress
- Roads and Highways
- The National Highway network expanded from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,342 km in 2025.
- Railways
- Modernisation initiatives include automatic signalling, Vande Bharat trains, and freight corridor expansion.
- Notable projects: Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
- Metros
- Metro network expanded from 248 km in 2014 to 1,013 km across 23 cities by 2025.
- Aviation
- Significant growth driven by demand and policies like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), enhancing regional connectivity.
- Operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 159 in 2024.