Introduction

Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from Government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. Infrastructure sector includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development.

The infrastructure sector, comprising of connectivity, communication and essential facilities, forms an economy’s foundation and is an important determinant of economic growth. The sector is a key growth driver for the Indian economy and plays a significant role in the economy’s overall development process.

Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from Government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. Infrastructure sector includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development. In 2018, India ranked 44th out of 167 countries in World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2018.

Market Size
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received in Construction Development sector (townships, housing, built up infrastructure and construction development projects) from April 2000 to December 2018 stood at US$ 24.91 billion, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The logistics sector in India is growing at a CAGR of 10.5 per cent annually and is expected to reach US$ 215 billion in 2020.

Investments
India has a requirement of investment worth Rs 50 trillion (US$ 777.73 billion) in infrastructure by 2022 to have sustainable development in the country. India is witnessing significant interest from international investors in the infrastructure space. Some key investments in the sector are listed below.
• In 2018, infrastructure sector in India witnessed private equity and venture capital investments worth US$ 1.97 billion.
• In June 2018, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has announced US$ 200 million investment into the National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
• Indian infrastructure sector witnessed 91 M&A deals worth US$ 5.4 billion in 2017

Government Initiatives
The Government of India is expected to invest highly in the infrastructure sector, mainly highways, renewable energy and urban transport. The Government of India is taking every possible initiative to boost the infrastructure sector.

Announcements in Union Budget 2019 - 2020:
• The Government of India has given a massive push to the infrastructure sector by allocating Rs 4.56 lakh crore (US$ 63.20 billion) for the sector.
• Communication sector allocated Rs 38,637.46 crore (US$ 5.36 billion) to development of post and telecommunications departments.
• The Indian Railways received allocation under Union Budget 2019- 20 at Rs 66.77 billion (US$ 9.25 billion). Out of this allocation, Rs 64.587 billion (US$ 8.95 billion) is capital expenditure.
• Rs 83,015.97 crore (US$11.51 billion) allocated towards road transport and highway. way.
• Rs 3,899.9 crore (US$ 540.53 billion) to increase capacity of Green Energy Corridor Project along with wind and solar power projects.
• Allocation of Rs 8,350.00 crore (US$ 1.16 billion) to boost telecom infrastructure.
• Water supply to be provided to all households in 500 cities.
• Allocation of Rs 888.00 crore (US$ 110.88 million) for the upgradation of state government medical colleges (PG seats) at the district hospitals and Rs 1,361.00 crore (US$ 188.63 million) for government medical colleges (UG seats) and government health institutions.

Achievements
Following are the achievements of the government in the past four years:
• The total national highways length increased to 122,434 kms in FY18 from 92,851 kms in FY14.
• India’s rank jumped to 24 in 2018 from 137 in 2014 on World Bank’s Ease of doing business - "Getting Electricity" ranking.
• Energy deficit reduced to 0.7 per cent in FY18 from 4.2 per cent in FY14.
• Number of airports has increased to 102 in 2018.

Road Ahead
India’s national highway network is expected to cover 50,000 kilometres by 2019. National highway construction in India has increased by 20 per cent year-on-year in 2017-18.

India and Japan have joined hands for infrastructure development in India's north-eastern states and are also setting up an India-Japan Coordination Forum for Development of North East to undertake strategic infrastructure projects in the northeast.