Editorial

Indian Railways (IR) is, of course, a key logistics player. It also delivers the very important services of connecting far-flung rural populations and enabling short-range daily commuters to earn their daily bread. Freight generates revenues […]

Construction accounts for 9 per cent of our GDP, being the largest employer outside of agriculture. The sector is also the largest consumer of steel, cement, copper, etc. The last few budgets have supported the […]

The infrastructure sector may have reached an inflection point. Legacy hurdles remain, but proactive policy shifts have improved the ecosystem considerably. Capital is flowing in through a variety of sources, with different capital providers participating […]

It is imperative to pay heed to sustainability and safety when creating a 21st-century road network. India’s policy has encouraged the adoption of advanced technologies, the use of sustainable materials, and incorporated efforts to improve […]

Urbanisation always accompanies development, and urban conglomerations need the capacity to transport large populations efficiently and sustainably. To this end, India’s cities have implemented metros and urban rail systems such as the regional rapid transit […]

There have been several consequential changes in the telecom ecosystem in the past year. Satellite broadband (satcom) is set to be rolled out, after requisite policy changes. The draft New Telecom Policy sets ambitious roadmaps. […]

India’s energy conundrum can be distilled into a few imperatives. Economic growth is tied to increased energy consumption. The energy mix is predominantly fossil fuel based and will remain so. Demand for oil and gas […]

Power demand is very closely correlated with economic activity, and it is critically important that India’s power supply keeps pace with growing demand – otherwise, GDP growth will run into bottlenecks. This alone requires a […]

Despite the uncertainties triggered by the tariff war and the slowdown during the pandemic, India’s port sector promises to go from strength to strength. The maritime landscape is driven by policy ambitions, clearly articulated in […]

India’s aviation sector is driven by a combination of policy and macro trends. Rising incomes and increasing urbanisation have created demand. Initiatives such as the RCS-UDAN encourage air travel, and policy has encouraged the development […]

Indian Railways (IR) plays a crucial role as the key transporter of goods and passengers. IR has ambitious plans to reinvent itself as a 21st century organisation, integrating modern technology and adopting an environmentally and […]

Construction is the keystone of infrastructure development. It is the largest employer of semi-skilled labour and the largest consumer of materials such as steel and cement. The construction sector is also rapidly becoming one of […]

The promise of Digital India, and its potential to turbo-charge economic activity, is based on an assumption of rock-solid, fast teleconnectivity. Digital India can only work optimally if high teledensity exists, and high-speed, high-bandwidth networks […]

At the turn of the 21st century, the slogan “Bijli, Sadak, Pani” became popular as political parties of all persuasions began to promise access to the basic necessities of power, roads and water. As the […]

Economic growth is closely linked to energy consumption, and India’s demand for oil and gas (O&G) has risen steadily in tandem with growth. Unfortunately, India has to meet around 88 per cent of crude demand […]

The power sector has a direct relationship with economic activity-indeed, economists cross-check GDP data (which is difficult to calculate) by comparing it with changes in power consumption (which is relatively easier to calculate). While generation […]

India already faces endemic water shortages in many places, and this situation could worsen due to a combination of urbanisation and industrialisation, both of which will add to the demand for water, as well as […]

The Maritime India Vision 2030 articulates a clear vision for the maritime sector. It lays emphasis on megaports and transshipment hubs, and focuses on the utilisation of inland waterways and the use of technology. Alongside […]

The civil aviation industry is seeing a steady growth in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. This is being facilitated by the creation of greenfield facilities as well as capacity expansions at existing airports. In […]

The interim budget has allocated Rs 2,554 billion to the Ministry of Railways, which is about 5 per cent higher than the revised estimate (Rs 2,433 billion) for 2023-24. Segment-wise, Rs 44.92 billion has been […]