ROLE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN INDIA
Abstract

Author(s): Dr Tarkeshwar Pandey

Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from Government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. Infrastructure sector includes transport, telecommunications, energy, water, health, housing, and educational facilities have become part and parcel of human existence. It is difficult to imagine a modern world without these facilities. These are vital to the household life as well as to the economic activity. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth and thereby contributes to the reduction of economic disparity, poverty and deprivations in a country. Greater access of the poorto education and health services, water and sanitation, road network and electricity is needed to bring equitable development and social empowerment. It is an important pre-condition for sustainable economic and social development. Infrastructural investments in transport (roads, railways, ports and civil aviation), power, irrigation, watersheds, hydroelectric works, scientific research and training,markets and warehousing, communications and informatics, education, health and family welfare play a strategic but indirect role in the development process, but makes a significant contribution towards growth by increasing the factor productivity of land, labour and capital in the production process, especially safe drinking water and sanitation, basic educational facilities strongly influence to the quality of life of the people. Finally it concludes infrastructure helps in improving economic growth and development.