India needs world class infrastructure, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said accelerated infrastructure development was his top priority and stressed the need to create world-class infrastructure.

Modi said this while reviewing the progress of eight major infrastructure sectors in the country as part of his monthly review meetings, said an official statement.

The eight sectors are: civil aviation, ports and inland waterways, roads, railways, telecom, power, coal, and new and renewable energy.

The prime minister emphasised the importance of monitoring the progress of infrastructure development through efficiency parameters identified for each sector.

He said ministries should monitor them on electronic reporting formats.

"The prime minister said initiatives undertaken by state governments as well as PSUs with other countries, including SAARC countries, should also be taken into account while monitoring the progress of infrastructure sectors," the statement said.

Modi said the ambitious Sagarmala project, aimed at interconnecting all coastal cities through road, rail, ports and airports, should lead to port-led development.

It would also become a major link for his "Make in India" vision which envisages a quantum jump in India's global trade.

He asked the railways, granted clearance for 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI), to come up with a comprehensive plan to facilitate FDI in the sector.

The prime minister reiterated his emphasis on renewable energy, including solar energy.

He called for a solar-powered corridor along the India-Pakistan border, in the desert regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. "Two pilot projects of 5 MW each are being initiated in this regard," the statement said.

Referring to his idea of solid waste management and waste water management in 500 towns through the public-private-partnership model, Modi said bio-energy would be a vital element of this vision.

He called for provision of world-class utility facilities along new road projects to bring about a paradigm shift in India's global perception.

All the sectors broadly reported significant improvement in performance over the last four months, as compared to the previous year, the statement added.