Infrastructure is an important input for industrial and
economic development. The importance of infrastructure for
sustained economic growth is well recognized in India. India
has made considerable progress in the last ten years in
attracting investment in the infrastructure sectors like
telecommunications, ports and roads and other individual
projects. The sector is estimated to grow at a Compound
Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% over the next few years.
It is a sector with enormous potential. According to the
Economic Survey 2005-2006, India has the potential to absorb
$150 bn of foreign direct investment in the next five years,
in the infrastructure sector alone. The Infrastructure components
like power, telecom and transportation, etc., not only provide
basic amenities, which improves the quality of life, but
are crucial determinants, directly influencing the industrial
and other developments of a nation. The Indian economy is
experiencing a sustained growth due to massive expansion
of capacity by domestic players and thrust on infrastructure
by the government. Increased inflows from global and domestic
markets to create productive assets in India and its global
competitiveness have encouraged the overall growth rate.
The book titled Ports Infrastructure and Economic Development
comprises of seven chapters including 62 Tables and 16 Figures.
Though a major portion of the book studies the operational
analysis of Paradeep Port, one of the 12 major ports in
India, substantial importance has also been given to the
analysis of other ports in second and third chapters. The
book also discusses about the commitment of the government
for the infrastructure development of roads, ports, airports,
and water resources. Some of the ambitious plans for the
expansion and modernization of infrastructure like the "Golden
Quadrilateral" project, which runs 5,850 km connecting
the four metro cities and the North-South and East-West
corridor with a length of 7,000 km stretching form Srinagar
to Kanyakumari and Silchar to Porbandar have also been discussed.
Though the total study period is 15 years, commencing from
1986-87 to 2000-01, the authors have divided the total study
period into two parts: pre-reform and post-reform period.
The process of liberalization of the Indian economy started
in the mid-1980s and intensified with the enunciation of
the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1991. Though due to economic
liberalization, many sectors got a boost for development,
the reforms in the infrastructure sector did not take off
till mid-1990s. The government adopted some measures in
consonance with the recommendations of the Rakesh Mohan
Committee Report on Infrastructure in 1996 to remove the
constrictions and to make it a catalyst for economic growth
in the country. |
