UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02nd April 2025

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Powering Infrastructure Through Make in India

Why in News?

India’s infrastructure landscape is undergoing a monumental shift, driven by the Make in India initiative as a catalyst for growth and development.

Introduction

India’s infrastructure landscape is undergoing a monumental shift, driven by the Make in India initiative as a catalyst for growth and development. Recognising that world-class infrastructure is the backbone of economic progress, the government has launched several transformative projects to strengthen transportation, logistics, and urban facilities:

Bharatmala Pariyojana – Enhancing road connectivity through expressways and economic corridors.
Sagarmala Programme – Revolutionising port-led development.
Smart Cities Mission – Modernising urban centres with digital integration.
PM Gati Shakti – Streamlining multimodal connectivity for seamless movement of goods and people.

These initiatives are laying the foundation for a more efficient, interconnected, and sustainable India.

Engineering Feats and Achievements

India’s ambitious infrastructure drive is marked by remarkable projects that showcase engineering excellence:

Atal Tunnel – The world’s longest highway tunnel.
Chenab Bridge – The world’s highest railway bridge.
Statue of Unity – The world’s tallest statue.
Zojila Tunnel – Asia’s longest tunnel.
Dedicated Freight Corridors, modern airports, and renewable energy grids – Strengthening India’s economic foundation.

By aligning infrastructure growth with industrial expansion, Make in India is unlocking new opportunities for investment, employment, and innovation.

Economic Acceleration Through Infrastructure

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)

NICDP is a transformative initiative aimed at developing world-class industrial infrastructure and promoting planned urbanisation.

Integrates smart technologies and multimodal connectivity.
Develops globally competitive manufacturing hubs.
Ensures economic growth and employment generation.

Key Developments (August 2024)

Cabinet approved 12 new industrial areas across 10 states under NICDP.
Investment of ₹28,602 crore.
Strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem along six major corridors.

PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity

Launched in 2021, this initiative strengthens Make in India by ensuring:

Seamless infrastructure development through coordination across 16 ministries.
Geospatial mapping and data-driven planning to reduce delays.
Efficient supply chains and investment attraction.
Network Planning Group (NPG) assesses projects above ₹500 crore.

Key Achievements (March 2025)

115 National Highway and road projects covering 13,500 km assessed.
Total investment: ₹6.38 lakh crore.

Road and Maritime Connectivity

Bharatmala Pariyojana

Bharatmala is advancing India’s transportation sector by:

Developing economic corridors, expressways, and connectivity roads.
Improving logistics efficiency and industrial growth.
Supporting indigenous manufacturing and self-reliance.

Key Achievements (February 2025)

26,425 km awarded out of 34,800 km planned.
19,826 km already constructed.
Total expenditure: ₹4,92,562 crore.
6,669 km of high-speed greenfield corridors awarded (4,610 km completed).

National Highway Network

Expanded from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,145 km in 2024 (60% increase).
Enhanced connectivity, reduced travel time, and boosted economic activities.

Sagarmala Programme

Launched in 2015, the Sagarmala Programme aligns with Make in India by promoting port-led development:

Enhancing manufacturing and export capabilities.
Reducing logistics costs for domestic and international trade.
Improving port infrastructure and coastal economic zones.

Key Achievements (March 2025)

839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crore identified.
272 projects completed with an investment of ₹1.41 lakh crore.
Strengthened maritime trade efficiency.

Rail Infrastructure

Vande Bharat Trains

First indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed trains.
Modern features: automatic plug doors, ergonomic seats, mobile charging sockets.
Fast connectivity across medium and short-distance routes.

Key Achievements (March 2025)

136 Vande Bharat trains in operation.
Operational schedules:
- 122 services (six days a week).
- 2 services (four days a week).
- 8 services (tri-weekly).
- 4 services (weekly).

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

A long-term initiative for modernising railway stations.
Focuses on enhancing passenger amenities and multimodal connectivity.
1,337 stations identified for upgradation (March 2025).

Metro Rail Expansion

Major urban transformation with expanded metro networks.
Fast, eco-friendly, and reliable public transportation.

Key Achievements (March 2025)

Metro network expanded from 248 km (2014) to 1,011 km (2025) across 20+ cities.
Namo Bharat trains operational on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor.
BEML Limited supplied 2,000+ metro coaches across India.