India’s Infrastructure Revolution Under Make in India

Context:

This document, released by the Press Information Bureau on April 1, 2025, outlines India’s transformative infrastructure initiatives under the Make in India framework, emphasizing economic growth, connectivity, and industrial development as of April 2, 2025.

Key Information in Points:

Introduction:

• Make in India Impact: Drives India’s infrastructure growth, enhancing transportation, logistics, and urban facilities.
• Key Initiatives: Bharatmala Pariyojana (road connectivity), Sagarmala Programme (port-led development), Smart Cities Mission (urban modernization), and PM Gati Shakti (multimodal connectivity).
• Iconic Projects:
• • Statue of Unity: World’s tallest statue.
  • Atal Tunnel: World’s longest highway tunnel.
  • Chenab Bridge: World’s highest railway bridge.
  • Zojila Tunnel: Asia’s longest tunnel.
• Broader Goals: Supports industrial expansion, renewable energy, and freight corridors for a sustainable economy.

Economic Acceleration:

• Strategic Focus: Infrastructure boosts domestic manufacturing and economic growth.
• National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP):
• • Objective: Develop world-class manufacturing hubs with smart tech and connectivity.
  • Progress: In August 2024, 12 new industrial areas approved across 10 states with ₹28,602 crore investment.
  • Impact: Enhances global competitiveness and job creation.

PM Gati Shakti:

• Launch: 2021, aimed at multimodal connectivity.
• Features: Integrates 16 ministries, uses geospatial mapping, and data-driven planning.
• Achievements: By March 13, 2025, evaluated 115 National Highway projects (13,500 km) worth ₹6.38 lakh crore.
• Benefits: Reduces logistics delays, supports industrial corridors, and attracts investments.

Road and Maritime Connectivity:

• Bharatmala Pariyojana:
• • Objective: Develop economic corridors, expressways, and connectivity roads.
  • Progress: By February 28, 2025, 26,425 km awarded out of 34,800 km planned; 19,826 km constructed; ₹4,92,562 crore spent.
  • High-Speed Corridors: 6,669 km awarded, 4,610 km completed by February 2025.
• National Highway Network:
• • Growth: Expanded from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,145 km (2024), a 60% increase.
  • Impact: Improved connectivity and economic activity.
• Sagarmala Programme:
• • Launch: 2015, focuses on port-led development.
  • Progress: By March 19, 2025, 839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crore identified; 272 completed with ₹1.41 lakh crore invested.
  • Features: Enhances port connectivity, coastal economic zones, and reduces logistics costs.

Rail Infrastructure:

• Vande Bharat Trains:
• • Launch: 2019, indigenously designed semi-high-speed trains.
  • Features: Modern coaches, safety features, and passenger amenities.
  • Progress: 136 trains operational by March 18, 2025, with varied schedules.
  • Sleeper Variant: First 16-car set trialed successfully on January 15, 2025, on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route at 180 kmph.
• Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:
• • Objective: Modernize railway stations.
  • Progress: 1,337 stations identified for upgradation by March 12, 2025.
• Metro Rail Expansion:
• • Growth: From 248 km (2014) to 1,011 km (March 2025) across 20+ cities.
  • BEML Contribution: Supplied over 2,000 metro coaches by May 2024 to cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
  • Namo Bharat Trains: Operate on Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, enhancing regional connectivity.

Civil Aviation:

• Growth: India is the third-largest domestic aviation market.
• Achievements:
• • Airports: Increased from 74 (2014) to 159 (March 2025).
  • Passenger Traffic: Record 5 lakh passengers on November 17, 2024.
  • Flying Training Organisations (FTOs): Grew from 29 (2016) to 38 with 57 bases (December 2024).

Conclusion:

• Overall Impact: Infrastructure projects enhance connectivity, logistics, and quality of life, supporting industrial growth and employment.
• Future Vision: Continued investment and innovation position India as a global manufacturing and logistics hub.

Key Terms:

• Make in India: Initiative to boost domestic manufacturing and economic growth.
• Bharatmala Pariyojana: Program to develop road infrastructure and economic corridors.
• Sagarmala Programme: Port-led development to enhance maritime trade.
• PM Gati Shakti: National plan for multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
• NICDP: Program to create advanced industrial hubs.
• Vande Bharat Trains: Indigenously made semi-high-speed trains.
• Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Initiative to modernize railway stations.
• Namo Bharat Trains: Regional rapid transit system trains.
• Smart Cities Mission: Urban development with modern amenities and digital integration.