Roads, traffic and GDP

Addressing the problem of slow and chaotic traffic movement could enhance productivity and welfare in India

We are all familiar with the chaotic and slow movement of traffic on roads in many parts of India. And, this happens year after year. It is not that the public authorities are insensitive to this serious problem, but as the French saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The chaotic and slow traffic movement causes significant wastage of time and energy, which in turn affects productivity and gross domestic product (GDP). This is not to say that a significant improvement in traffic movement can lead to a big change in the growth rate of GDP.