Govt unfolds steps to upgrade infrastructure

Low cost airports will be developed to promote air connectivity to smaller towns: President

Small airports, a Diamond Quadrilateral of high-speed trains and 'Sagar Mala' project to connect ports to the hinterland would be the focus areas of the new government as part of efforts to upgrade the country's much-needed infrastructure.

"Lack of robust infrastructure is one of India's major impediments. The government will chalk out an ambitious infrastructure development programme to be implemented in the next ten years," President Pranab Mukherjee said in his address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament today which outlined the vision of the new government of Narendra Modi.

A "fast-track, investment friendly and predictable" public private partnership mechanism would be put in place for this purpose, with modernisation and revamping of the Railways being on top of the infrastructure agenda.

The President said low cost airports would be developed to promote air connectivity to smaller towns.

"My government will launch a Diamond Quadrilateral project of high speed trains. The country will have a network of freight corridors with specialised Agri-Rail networks for perishable agricultural products. Investment in railways will be increased using innovative financing methods," he said.

Expansion of railways in the hilly states and the Northeast region and modernisation of rail safety systems would be the prime focus areas, Mukherjee said, adding R&D and high-level local manufacturing for railway systems would be encouraged.

A fast, time-bound and well monitored programme for execution of the National Highways programme would also be initiated to overcome the stagnancy of the past few years. "The government will evolve a model of Port-led development. Our long coastline will become the gateway for India's prosperity," the President said.

He promised that government would modernise existing ports on one hand and develop new world class ports on the other.

"Stringing together the Sagar Mala project we will connect the ports with the hinterland through road and rail. Inland and coastal waterways will be developed as major transport routes," he said.