Page 24 - Abhivruddhi
P. 24

possible to provide employment through micro industries to a few crores
          of people every year. The experience in Gujarat is that loans given under
          such schemes are usually repaid, with interest.


             Rapid growth in infrastructure


            In the last seven years since Gadkari took over the infrastructure
          department, the work has gained momentum. Construction of roads,
          new railways, ports, roads, railways connecting the ports, construction
          of airports, effective use of waterways have all gained momentum.
          Statistically speaking, these infrastructure facilities are being built at 25
          times the  earlier pace before the Modi government came to power(Prof.
          Ashok Soman,2016). An excellent network of national highways is being
          built across the country. The speed of freight has increased more than
          four times due to the availability of separate passenger and freight routes
          to the railways. Shipping is cheaper than any other route. As a result,
          transportation costs are reduced. If the goods are to be transported over
          long distances, it is becoming faster and more economical to transport
          the goods by loaded trucks with the help of railway crates than by sending
          goods by roadways. The capital required for the construction of this
          infrastructure is obtained from the international market. The capital is
          available at an interest rate of less than 3%. It is definitely beneficial to
          repay this loan once the road, railways or similar infrastructure is available.
          Many projects within the country are being run on a build, operate and
          transfer principle. The duration of each of these projects is fixed. If it
          takes more time than that, the contractor is penalized and if the project is
          completed in less time than, bonus is given to that contractor. There is no
          compromise on the quality of work. Otherwise the contractor will have
          to face very severe penalties. Millions of people have found employment
          today due to the rapid growth of this type of infrastructure. With the
          construction  of infrastructure, naturally, many  industries  coming  in
          and out of the country get a favorable environment. The heavy industry
          sector has given them huge concessions to bring such big industries to
          the country.










                                           24
   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29