Infrastructure: Energy, Transportation, and Communication

Sol- 

Telecommunications include mobile and landline services, internet connectivity, satellite communication, and digital infrastructure that connects over a billion people. On the other hand, the transport network encompasses roads, railways, airways, waterways, and logistics systems that facilitate the seamless movement of people and goods across the country.

Telecommunication Sector Reforms:

• BharatNet Project: 
  • Aims to provide high-speed internet to all 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats. As of FY24, over 1.9 lakh villages have been connected with fiber broadband.
• Comprehensive telecom development plan for the north-eastern region
• Telecom development for islands – Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Island – Submarine OFC (Optical fiber cable)
• Border village scheme and LWE (Left-wing extremism) – 4 G towers 
• Digital Bharat Nidhi – To subsidize mobile services, broadband connectivity, and infrastructure in rural and remote areas
• Digital India Programme:
  • Focus on digital infrastructure for governance, education, health, and rural services.
  • 88 crore+ mobile internet subscribers and over 80 crore Aadhaar-linked citizens (FY24).
  • Digital India push helped Rajasthan digitize over 90% of land records and link e-governance portals.

Transport Sector Reforms:

• PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan (NMP):
  • Launched in 2021 to bring multimodal infrastructure under a digital coordination platform.
  • Integrated with various applications of different ministries/agencies to prevent duplication of work and create a single window system for infrastructure planning.
  • For both physical and social infrastructures
    • Eg. – connectivity to model schools and disaster management planning, etc
  • Covers logistics, rail, road, ports, airports, and waterways in an integrated manner.
• Road Sector
  • Bharatmala Pariyojana:
    • Launched in October 2017, it aims to develop 34,800 km of National Highways. By 2024, 76% project awarded
    • Improved freight efficiency and rural connectivity.
  • Char Dham Mahamarg Pariyojna:
    • Road project to connect all four dams through a highway of 825 km in length
  • Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLP) – 6 Parks awarded
  • Ropeways projects and National Highway Maintenance Policy
• Railway :-
  • Three major economic railway corridor programs will be implemented.
    • Energy, mineral, and cement corridors,
    • Port connectivity corridors, and
    • High-traffic density corridors
  • Introduction of Vande Bharat trains, electrification of 85%+ of broad gauge routes.
  • Redevelopment of 1,300+ stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
• Waterways & Ports:
  • Under the Sagarmala Project, the focus is on modernizing ports, coastal shipping, and inland waterways.
  • Reduced port turnaround time from 96 hours (2014) to 60 hours (2024).
• Airports and Aviation:
  • UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme connected 75 underserved airports.
  • Boosts regional air connectivity and affordable flying.

Conclusion:- 

Telecom and transport networks form the arteries of a growing economy, powering both urban growth and rural integration. Investment in both sectors is crucial to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.