QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25

Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

INDEX
1 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (2013-2023) 2
- Repeated Themes from PYQs
- Expected Questions For 2024/25
2 FACTSHEET 4
3 THEME WISE KEYWORDS: As per Usage in Body of Answer & Way forward 6
4 CASE STUDIES & BEST PRACTICES: LOCAL, NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL 8
5 FROM THE SPEECHES: PM, PRESIDENT, & VP 10
6 INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR: Components, Significance, Way Forward (ROADMAPS) 11
7 PPP IN INFRASTRUCTURE 13
8 TOPPERS’ ANSWER 15
9 TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: Issues & Challenges, Reforms Needed; Sustainable Transport 17
10 URBAN TRANSPORTATION 19
11 ROAD SECTOR: Challenges & Solutions, Government Initiatives etc. 22
12 RAILWAY SECTOR: Issues & Challenges, Reforms, Govt Initiatives, New Metro Rail Policy 25
13 SHIPPING, PORT & IWT SECTOR: Shipping & Port Sector Issues, Inland Waterways Issues, 31
Suggestive Measures, Government Initiatives, etc
14 AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL: Challenges, Way forward; Need for focus on Urban Housing 36

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

1 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (2013-2023)

2013
GS3
• Adaptation of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free from criticism.
Critically discuss the pros and cons of the model.

2014
GS2
• The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash strapped Indian Railways to
demand subsidy for obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the
experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the
Indian Railways or the private container operators.
GS3
• National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of moving vehicles. Discuss critically
the success of various strategies of the government in this regard.
• Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation infrastructure projects, can
transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that
successive generations’ capacities are not compromised?

2017
GS3
• Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard?

2021
GS 3
• “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the
light of India’s experience.
2022
GS 2
• The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector
to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.
GS 3
• Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in Infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model
in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India.

REPEATED THEMES FROM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (PYQs)

* Note: Smart Cities have been covered under the Theme: Urbanisation.
• THEME 1: INFRASTRUCTURE: SECTOR BASED
- Railway, Airports etc
• THEME 2: PPP MODEL IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
- Role/Significance, Challenges, Way forward

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

• THEME 3: GOVERNMENT INITATIVES

- National Urban Transport Policy, Gati-Shakti Yojana etc.
• THEME 4: INFRASTRUCTURE & ROLE IN INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

OTHER EXPECTED TOPICS FOR 2024/25

• LOGISTICS SECTOR: NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY (NLP)

- National Logistics Policy, 2022 is a comprehensive policy framework to propel India's transition towards
an export surplus economy. Comment.
- “For the success of Make in India, having an efficient “Move in India” is a necessary pre-condition”.
Comment. Identifying the challenges faced by the logistics sector in India, provide suggestion to
overcome them.
• INLAND WATER TRANSPORT, PORTS & SHIPPING SECTOR
- What are the significant advantages of developing an inland waterways network? Identify various
implementational challenges that have hindered development of such a network in India.
• NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE & PM GATI SHAKTI
- Highlighting the features of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), examine its significance for India
in achieving the goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy.
• INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING – Need, Sources & Challenges (Reference: Recent passage of National Bank
for Financing Infrastructure and Development [NaBFID] Act, 2021)
- National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) has the potential to emerge as an
important link for channelling long-term finance required for infrastructure development and realizing
higher economic growth. Discuss.
• PRIVATISATION/PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR – Railways, Power DISCOMS, Civil
Aviation (Air India) & National Monetisation Pipeline.
- India's Civil Aviation sector is choking on high taxes, poor regulation, and high structural costs. What
pragmatic measures must be undertaken by the government and other stakeholders to harness the true
potential of the Civil Aviation sector.
- The Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is envisaged to open up limitless avenues for a more efficient
and sustainable railways operation in India. Discuss. What measures must be taken to overcome the
potential challenges faced by PPP in Railway Projects.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Determine the key factors bolstering the demand of affordable housing in a developing country like India.
Discuss the various socio-economic and political challenges associated with the Government’s mission
of “Housing for All by 2022”.
- Model Tenancy Act, 2021 has the potential to promote rental housing by balancing and protecting the
rights and interests of both the tenants and the landlords. Discuss.
• URBAN TRANSPORTATION
- An efficient, affordable, and sustainable urban transportation system holds the key to rapid and inclusive
development of India. Discuss.

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

2 KEYFACTS

INFRASTRUCTURE
Current Investment •  33% to Rs.10 lakh crore (3.3% of GDP)
[Union Budget 2023-24] Note: Data for 2024-25 will be updated post presentation of Union Budget in July 2024
Planned Investment • Rs 100 lakh crore in identified sectors for a period of 5 years (from 2020-25).
[NIP] - Centre + State Govt (80%) & Private Sector (20%) approx..

TRANSPORT SECTOR
Contribution to GDP • Overall: 4.5%
• Road: >60% (Global Benchmark – 25-30%, US - 37%, China - 22%)
Freight Transport Share
• Railways: 30% (Global Benchmark – 50-55%, China 47%)
[National Logistics
• Waterways: 10% (Global Benchmark – 40-45%,)
Policy]
- Inland Waterways: 2% (China 9%, Bangladesh 32%); Coastal Shipping: 6%
Passenger Transport • Road and others: 85%
Share [World Bank] • Railways:15%
Environmental Damage
• Transport accounts for about 13.5% of India’s total emissions
[NITI Aayog]
E-Vehicles
[NITI Aayog’s • Benefit: “Shared, electric, and connected mobility” can reduce carbon
“Transforming Mobility” emissions by >35%.
report]
ROAD SECTOR
• India has the 2nd largest road network in the world (After USA).
• Distribution of Roadways
Road Network - National Highways: 2% of total road network, 40% of total traffic
[MORTH] - State Highways: 3% of total road network
- District & Rural roads: 95% of total road network
Cost Inefficient • Cost of a tonne per KM: Roadways: Rs 2.5; Railways: Rs 1.3; Waterways: Rs 1
Lack of road
• Ministry’s expenditure on Road maintenance: 5% (US: 48%).
maintenance [NITI]
Social-Economic
• Road Accidents in India: 11% of Global deaths (with only 1% of World’s vehicles)
Damage
• Cost of damage: 3% of GDP
[World Bank report]

RAILWAY SECTOR
Network • 4th largest network in the world (After US, Russia, and China)
Employment • Railway is the single largest employer in India
Efficiency • In Freight traffic: 12 times more efficient than roadways
[Ministry of Railways] • In Passenger Traffic: 3 times more efficient than roadways
Targeted Freight
• From current 35% to 45% by 2030 (Nationally Determined Contributions)
Share (2017-2035)
Rail Accidents • Consequential rail accident reduced by 80% (2016-17 – 2020-21)
• > 95% of accidents happened due to Driver’s fault (NCRB).

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

OTHER SECTORS
• Coastline: 7500 km; Navigable Inland Waterways - 14,500 kms
• Major ports: 12, Non-major ports: 200+
Shipping, Port, and • Trade through marine transport: By Volume: 95%, By Value: 70%
Inland waterways • Sustainability target: By 2030, all the Major Ports are to be made fully self-
sustainable on electricity derived from renewable energy.
• India’s aviation market: 7th largest in the world and projected to be 3rd largest
by 2024.
Civil Aviation • Domestic Aviation market = 3rd largest in world.
• Domestic air traffic = 70% of total airline traffic in S. Asia.
• Contribution to GDP – 15%
• Logistics Cost: 13-14% of GDP (compared to 7-8% in developed countries).
Logistic Sector • Impact on exports - 10% decrease in logistics cost can increase 5-8% of exports.
• Structure: 70% Logistics sector remains unorganized.
• Contribution to GDP: 10% (Real estate: 5-6%)
• Real Estate Industry
Construction Sector
- Expected to reach $1 Tn by 2030
- 3rd largest sector in terms of FDI flow

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

S 3 THEME WISE KEYWORDS

Sr.# KEYWORDS FOR USE IN BODY OF THE ANSWER
21st Century Infrastructure (Infra-FIRST) - Future-ready, Intelligent, Resilient, Sustainable, Transformative
infrastructure

1
HIRA – Highways, Inland waterways, Railways, Airway

2
Housing: CASA –IDS (Connectivity, Affordable, Safe, Amenities, Inclusive, Disaster Resilient, Sustainable)

3
Infrastructure Triad – Social, Physical and Digital

4
Infrastructure as 'Holy Grail' of - Productivity/$5 Trillion Economy/Inclusive Growth

5
• Transit Oriented Development

• Transport Sector/ Infrastructure Sector as an ‘Undivided Whole’

6
Build –Neglect-Rebuild

KEYWORDS FOR USE IN WAY FORWARD

Connectivity & Multimodality

• From 'Transport Divide' to 'Culture of multimodality'

• From 'Missing Transit' (Immobility) to 'Nation on the Wheels'

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• From Last mile challenges to first & last mile connectivity

Project Implementation

• From 'Culture of Delays' to ''Culture of Accountability'

• From ‘Ribbon development Rights’ to ‘Real development Rights’

• From ‘Work in Progress’ to ‘Work For Progress’ or ‘Wealth for Progress’

9
Sustainable Infrastructure

• From grey to blue-green-grey infrastructure

10
Transit Oriented Development

• From ‘Moving vehicles’ to ‘Moving People’

11

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

4 CASE STUDIES & BEST PRACTICES

NATIONAL & LOCAL

4.1 TRANSPORT SECTOR
• Intelligent Transport System: Improving urban public transport in Mysore (MITRA)
- Introducing real time data on bus schedules, estimated timings of arrival and departure,
announcing bus stops (by their names) and fare details at bus stops, bus terminals and inside the
buses using SMS, internet and interactive voice response system (IVRS).
- It aims to reduce the commuter’s dependence on personal automobiles, reduce traffic & pollution.
• Janmarg: India's first full BRT system at Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Closed BRT system with median bus stations (for fast boarding), specially designed buses with right-
hand side doors, right of way to include cycle tracks and pedestrian facilities, faster commuting etc.
• Airports : Green Technologies
(1) Cochin airport - India's first airport run on solar power hence absolutely power neutral.
(2) Chandigarh International Airport, Mohali: No artificial lights required during day, transparent facade
with low heat gain glass which reduces air conditioning requirement, rooftop solar plant etc.
• Advanced Parking Management Systems (APMS), installed at Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, Delhi
- It obtains information about available parking spaces, processes and presents it to drivers ➔
guides drivers in congested area to nearest parking spot.
- Benefits: Ensured 16% increase in parking and 27% increase in revenue.
• M-Wallet App: One stop digital repository of all documents issued by transport department in
Telangana. Freely downloadable app allows auto-fetch documents, have all documents on one screen,
add multiple vehicles owned by single person thus enhancing good governance.
• Physical infrastructure as a space for Social justice & Inclusive growth
- ‘One Station, One Product’ scheme, stalls set up at railway stations in the North East. Laying
emphasis upon ‘Vocal for Local’ and providing new markets for local artisans, artists, craftsmen etc
- India’s first transgender tea-stall opened at Guwahati Railway Station. Bridging the gap between
the transgender community and mainstream society.

4.2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING

• PMAY implementation, Madhya Pradesh
- 3M Facilitation model - man, mason, material was adopted by the district.
- Celebration of completed houses on Awas Diwas. PM Parivar card issued by creating family profile
- Capacity building to train masons as certified skilled "Rajmistris", officers trained to use technology
mediums like geotagging, software handling.
- Convergence with other schemes like Ujjwala yojana, Saubhagya scheme, Swachh Bharat Mission
• 'Dignity Housing' model, Hyderabad
- Enable 2 BHK vertical development houses with inbuilt maintenance mechanism and social and
physical infrastructure at par with private sector.
- Precast concrete building construction model reducing site labor & increased speed and durability.
- Fly ash bricks and PPC cement in compliance Ministry of Environment regulations
- MIS for capturing online data of beneficiaries, details of funds released and geo tagging projects
- Convergence with other departments to reacquire unutilised land holdings.

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• Maharashtra RERA - Role model – Only RERA to have GIS mapping ➔ home buyers can see exact
location of a project/surroundings. It hosts a reconciliation unit to sort out large number of disputes.
- Allows home buyers to come together and change the developer of a project.
• Patsendri Model Colony: Developed under the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Patsendri village of
Chattisgarh through the convergence of schemes.
- Impact: behavioural change among owners towards a more cohesive and responsible community.

4.3 LAND POOLING & MANAGEMENT

• Maha Land Bank System: Aspirational District of Washim in Maharashtra.
- The Land Bank serves as a repository of information for taking policy decisions on the allocation of
Government Land for provision of Affordable Housing, Irrigation, etc.
• Voluntary Land Pooling: Model for land acquisition in Amravathi, Andhra Pradesh
− Farmers in the notified area voluntarily offer their farm lands and accept the developed plots in
return, according to agreed guidelines.

INTERNATIONAL
• Energy Generating Subway Floor, Tokyo, Japan
- Objective: To harness the power of the foot traffic by the commuters in
busiest stations, government installed piezoelectric energy-generating
flooring tiles in front of the ticket turnstiles.
- Mechanism: The tiles, made of layers of rubber sheeting and ceramic,
absorb the vibrations from the footfalls and capture the resulting energy.
- Utility: The combined energy is then stored in capacitors and channelled to
power the station’s ticket gates and electric lights and displays.
• Sustainable Highway Concept, USA
- It includes a lightweight, laminated glass canopy
above the roadway that filters dust particles from
roadway before releasing air into the atmosphere
(Changes the road, rather than the car).
✓ The canopy is also equipped with solar panels.
- Benefits – Reduced GHG & Air Pollution & clean
energy generation.
• Geofencing in Hybrid Cars, For Safer Urban Transport, Sweden
- Geofencing uses a virtual perimeter for an actual geographic area inside which digital traffic
regulations can be applied. This enables instant sharing of regulations with vehicles that are
connected to cloud services or use intelligent transport systems Wi-Fi.
- By enabling geographical areas to be defined and attaching rules to these zones, geofencing ensures
that hybrid vehicles turn on their electric mode in specific city areas or automatically reduce their
speed limits (e.g. in the vicinity of schools and city centres).

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5 FROM THE SPEECHES: PM, PRESIDENT, & VP

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Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

5.1 FROM THE SPEECHES OF HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER

• On Importance of Infrastructure: The infrastructure development symbolizes true social justice and
true secularism.
- Infrastructure makes life easier, it creates employment opportunities, it is the basis of rapid
development, and it empowers the poor, dalits, backward, tribals and every such deprived section
of the society. Infrastructure is meant for all without any discrimination.
- On Social Infrastructure: Along with the strength of the physical infrastructure, it is equally necessary
for the social infrastructure of the country to be strong.
- The stronger our social infrastructure is, the more talented youth, skilled youth will be able to come
forward to work. That’s why it is equally necessary to give priority to skill development, project
management, finance skills, entrepreneur skills etc.
• On Indian Railways: Along with speed, today Indian Railways is also becoming a medium to connect
hearts, connect society and connect people with opportunities.
• On Vande Bharat: Vande Bharat Express is the identity of aspirational India.
- Today, when Vande Bharat travels from one place to another, it reflects both the speed and
progress of India.
- In this ‘Amritkaal’, Vande Bharat trains are not only becoming the engine of development, but are
also taking forward the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
• On Affordable housing: Home is not just a roof to cover the head; it is not just a shelter. Home is a place
of faith, where dreams take shape, where the present and future of a family is decided.
- We have made house a robust basis to fight against poverty, a medium for the empowerment of
the poor and for their dignity.

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6 INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR
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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
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6.1 INFRASTUCTURE SECTOR: COMPONENTS

6.2 NEED & SIGNIFICANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

6.3 WAY FORWARD: INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
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ACRONYM AS WAY FORWARD ‘ROADMAPS’

WAY FORWARD: INDIA NEEDS ROADMAPS IN INFRASTRUCTURE

• R - Research & Planning: Identify infrastructure needs of different regions & develop a comprehensive plan.
- Need to view infrastructure sector as an undivided whole and then strategize & invest accordingly.
• O - Optimize Funding: for capacity creation and increased efficiency through safety, modernisation. Reliance
on PPP, Public investment, international cooperation (Japan, China, US, Germany, Singapore).
• A - Accelerate Implementation: Streamline approval processes (single window); Clear timelines; minimize
bureaucratic red tape, ensure effective inter-ministerial/departmental coordination.
• D - Digital Integration: Leverage data analytics, IoT & AI to optimize infrastructure planning, construction,
and maintenance. Develop smart cities & digitally-enabled infrastructure systems.
• M - Multimodal Connectivity: that is efficient, reliable, economical, & safe - optimum utilization of all modes
– roads, rail, IWT, aviation – to prevent congestion, overburdening, and to gain logistical & fuel efficiency ➔
facilitate seamless movement of goods and people.
• A – Augment Sustainable, Inclusive & Resilient infra:
- Use of renewable energy, environment friendly construction practices, energy-efficient practices
- Inclusive & Affordable for poor, physically disabled, elderly, rural, hilly, LWE areas, NE states etc.
- Disaster resilient infrastructure
• P - Pricing and fiscal reforms eg. Rail fare to be rationalized, reducing taxes on ATF, Market linked power
sector prices etc.
• S – Strengthen Regulatory landscape & Human resource Development: Restructuring NHAI & Railway
authority, corporatization of ports, setting up National Expressway Authority etc.
- Ensuring appropriate skilled manpower resources.

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

7 PPP IN INFRASTRUCTURE

7.1 KEY BENEFITS OF PPP IN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

DIMENSION GENERATION VIA “MACROECONOMIC FRAMEWORK”

Q) Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in Infrastructural projects?

Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India.

HEADING SUB-HEADING POINTS

Corruption • Well-designed PPP process & Competitive bidding ➔
Regulatory reduced bureaucratic entrenchment and inspector raj ➔
Cholesterol (Land) time & cost efficiency.

Clearance
Contract
Enforcement
Labour • Access to latest technology and innovation ➔ higher
IPR + R & D operational efficiency ➔ better customer service.

• Fill the investment gap for infra financing.

Access to Credit + • Reduced fiscal burden on Govt through capital & risk sharing
Capital Public Investment ➔ more public expenditure available for social sector.

Rising NPA (Banks +

NBFC)
Entrepreneurship • Better expertise + Focus on profit ➔ faster pace of hard &
Soft Infrastructure soft infrastructure completion ➔ higher economic growth

Hard Infrastructure
Uncertainties (War • Risks are fully appraised early on to determine project
Global + Exports + feasibility ➔ insulation from uncertainties
Inflation)
Temporary Shocks
Covid Pandemic
Sector Specific Agr./Manufacturing • Multiplier effect on economy – all sectors
Stress

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7.2 PPP CHALLENGES

7.3 PPP REFORMS: KELKAR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Set up 3P India: to mainstream PPP Projects.
• Frame National PPP Policy: that is endorsed by the Parliament.
• Legislative reforms: formulation of PPP law. The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 should be amended
to distinguish between genuine errors in decision making and acts of corruption by public servants.
• Equitable allocation of risks of a PPP project among government & private entity.
• Create independent, sector specific regulators & set up expert panel to expedite stalled projects.
- An Infrastructure PPP Project Review Committee may be set up to evaluate PPP projects.
• Contract Enforcement: An Infrastructure PPP Adjudication Tribunal to be constituted and a quick,
efficient, and enforceable dispute resolution mechanism must be developed for PPP projects.
• PPP contracts to allow for renegotiations: so that private entities do not lose bargaining power because
of abrupt changes in the economic or policy environment.
• Strengthening institutional capacity: The capacity of all stakeholders including regulators, authorities,
consultants, financing agencies, etc should be built up ➔ set up National Level Institute for this purpose.

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Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

8 TOPPERS’ ANSWER

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
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9 TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

9.1 TRANSPORT SECTOR IN INDIA: ISSUES & CHALLENGES

• Capacity issues: Rapid economic growth has increased the burden on transport sector, which is unable to
handle growing freight and passenger traffic leading to congestion, delays & wastages ➔ rising cost of
production ➔ high uncompetitiveness.
• Lack of seamless inter modal integration: between land, air, water transportation and within sector (eg.
Buses, auto, metro, etc.)
- No last mile connectivity ➔ Prevents efficient & safe movement of people and goods.
- Increases dependence on personal vehicles ➔ more congestion.
• Low transport efficiency: Lower speeds due to congestion and overloading ➔more transit time (delays)
➔higher cost. For eg. Average speed of freight trains is 25 kmph, half of US.
- Other factors: inadequate infrastructure, technologies, poor handling equipments at ports,
accidents, etc
• Lopsided use of mode of transport – Roads are the costliest means, and yet are responsible for > 60% of
logistics movement in India (while US has 37% and China 22%).
• Lack of safety: Increase in accidents, loss of lives and goods. Over 3% of India’s GDP is lost to road
accidents annually.
• Lack of Pre-emptive maintenance: All maintenance done after the occurrence of the problem. This leads
to non uniform standards, hinders service quality, and lowers productivity For eg. Poor conditions of
Indian Railways, National and state highways etc.
• Uneven access to transport: Unserved & Under-served areas – rural, hilly, naxal areas, NE States.
• High dependence on conventional sources of energy: ie. Petrol, diesel (highly polluting fossil fuels).
• Lack of integrated regulatory regime: for tariff setting, issuing safety guidelines, cost of operation, anti-
competitive practices
- Different regulatory agencies for different modes with lack of coordination between them for eg.
Railway Development authority, AAI for airports, DGCA for civil aviation, DG of shipping industry etc.
- No independent authority: most operate under respective ministries eg. DGCA for Aviation sector.
- Some sectors lack a regulatory body: for eg. Road sector.
- Different ministry handling different sectors: Railways ministry, Civil aviation ministry, Road and
highway etc. Each sector has own set of policies, laws, without regard to other sector.
- Overlapping jurisdiction of Centre and State: multiple and contradictory laws.

9.2 TRANSPORT SECTOR: SUGGESTIVE REFORMS – SAME AS ‘ROADMAPS’

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9.3 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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10 URBAN TRANSPORTATION

10.1 NATIONAL URBAN TRANSPORT POLICY

Q) “National Urban Transport Policy aims at moving people in place of moving vehicles”. Comment.

The revised national urban transportation policy (2014) recognizes that people occupy centre stage in Indian
cities and all plans would be for their common benefit which is reflected in following objectives:
• Integrating transport planning with land use planning so that future growth of city is around a pre planned
urban transport network rather than developing UT after uncontrolled sprawl has taken place.
• Comprehensive Mobility Planning (CMP) - all cities to notify and periodically review the CMP ie. a vision
statement of the direction in which Urban Transport in the city should grow.
• Transit oriented Development - Ensuring travel distances are minimized and access to livelihoods,
education, and other social needs, especially for the marginal segments is improved.
• Ensuring First & Last mile connectivity
• Bringing about a more equitable allocation of road space with people, rather than vehicles, as its main
focus – separate lanes for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, footpaths
• Modal Mix & Priorities - Develop a modal mix catering to specific needs of a city – prioritizing them in
following manner – walking and non motorised transport, public transport (bus, rail, waterways), & private
transport.
• Transport demand management – studying where, why, when, how people are travelling and make people
aware about sustainable, cheaper, convenient alternative mode that would be more beneficial to them.
• Controlling use of personalised vehicle that are major source of congestion and pollution.
• Planning for freight traffic within cities so that it does not impact passenger movement – movement
during off peak hours, construction of bypasses etc.
• Participative planning to ensure that plans are readily acceptable to all – through website, workshop,
public meetings, advisory groups etc
• Universal accessibility: inclusive access to all sections ➔ integration with Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.
• Parking – Multilevel parking and parking lots along the Public Transport (PT) corridors (near the transit
stops or stations) should be built to encourage “park & ride system’ to enhance the ridership of PT.
- Uncontrolled parking supply encourages car dependency.
• Promoting the use of cleaner technologies.

ASSESSING PROGRESS ON CURRENT POLICIES & THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR GREEN MOBILITY
• National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2014
- Unclear roadmap for execution: The NUTP is primarily descriptive nature with missing definitive end goals
and execution plans to achieve those goals.
- Ineffective Unified Metropolitan Transportation Authority (UMTA) - Establishment of a UMTA without
any enforcement mechanism for its creation and functioning ➔ ignored by the states and parastatals.
- Skewed focus on Metro Rail: Most cities were more inclined towards creation of a metro network, letting
the other sustainable transport alternatives suffer from a lack of funds, attention and other resources.
- Last Mile connectivity challenge: For eg. Though buses and bus fleets were upgraded, connections
between residential streets and bus bays were not established or strengthened.

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• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), 2015

- Limited implementation: Only 14 states have utilised AMRUT Aim for urban transport: funds
funds to create NMT options and multi-level parking ➔ only allocation to enhance Non Motorised
2% of total outlay has been spent on non-motorised urban Transport (NMT) alternatives in each
transport. city by creating footpaths or
- Data gap: Despite being aimed at 500 cities, data from most walkways, sidewalks, foot
cities have not yet been populated on the website dashboards. overbridges and cycling facilities.
- Focus on Outlays, not outcomes: While the funds have been
allocated, there is little validation or standardisation of street design, its connectivity to other transit
modes, and using NMT as a mechanism for completing the transit loop and establishing end-to-end
connectivity.
• Smart Cities Mission, 2015
Smart Cities: Key Objectives
- Diversified Green Mobility options: key NMT projects were
• Providing impetus to walkable
public bicycle sharing schemes, electric bus and electric communities.
rickshaw fleets, IT-enabled fleet tracking for e-mobility options, • Promote transit-oriented
and EV charging and parking bays development, public transport and
✓ Yet, compared to intermediate public transport like rickshaw last-mile para-transport
& taxis, non-motorised option is far less preferable. connectivity.
- ‘CYCLE4CHANGE’ challenge: Since COVID outbreak, such • Technological upgradations in
programmes have been introduced that intends to create urban transport through Intelligent
extensive cycle networks in cities through interventions, such as Traffic Monitoring Systems.
pop-up bike lanes, non-motorised zones in cities and
Successful Models: Surat,
community-led cycle rental schemes. Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneshwar,
• National Transit-Oriented Development Policy, 2017 Indore, Pune and Coimbatore.
- Adoption challenges: Existing high densities along older transit
corridors prevent the easy adoption of
NTOD norms.
- Issue of synchronising: For NTOD
policy to be adaptable across all Indian
cities, changes must be made in the
development control regulations, as
well as in the comprehensive design
and architectural level.
- Deficient NMT Networks: While
aspects of the NTOD, like complete
streets, first & last mile connectivity &
multimodal integration, were adopted
by many cities, several had yet to make
progress on creating NMT networks.

Other Challenges to Effective implementation of

Urban Green Mobility Policies
• Focus on short-term gains at the local level: Providing more space to NMTs—and consequently less space to
cars—is considered an unpleasant solution and is disregarded by local politicians in many cities in India.
- Thus, budget decisions are often focused on roads, with only lip-service to NMT infrastructure.

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• Administrative challenges:
- Lack of technical expertise, inadequate resources, land acquisition issues etc.
- In non-metro cities, the city governments have little administrative and enforcement powers.
• Metro mindset: Metro rail have emerged as status symbols for cities. Thus, despite cheaper alternatives to
the metros, such as buses and trains, cities tend to disregard inadequate budgets & locally feasible options.
• Private motor vehicle boom: Congestion due to a huge number of private vehicles on the road, thus,
undermines the capabilities of public transport providers to operate at their full potential.
• Challenges in adoption of electric vehicles - Low level of consumers’ acceptance (demand constraints), Low
level of EV manufacturing activities (Supply constraints), Non-existent public charging infrastructure, Lack of
sufficient R&D, Isolated government policies & initiatives etc.

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
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11 ROAD SECTOR

11.1 ROAD SECTOR: ISSUES, CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

• Road Infrastructure
- Project delays – due to delayed land acquisition, environmental clearances, approval and assigning
of contracts, red tape and corruption.
- Inadequate finances - PPP (BOT) models not commercially viable, hence, subdued interest by
private sector (hence EPC/HAM is being proposed). Cost overruns adding to deficit.
- Poor road quality – unscientifically designed roads, narrow roads, weak pavements and bridges,
poor riding quality, congested, unsafe etc.
- Lack of road maintenance - Road maintenance forms just 5% of Ministry’s expenditure (US – 48%).
Need to measure road quality, improve highway and expressway, allocate additional funds for road
maintenance (from Central Road Fund).
• Road Transport
- Road efficiency –
✓ Multiple taxes (goods, tax, road tax, passenger tax) ➔ GST may resolve this challenge
✓ Multiple toll collection points increases transit time. Need to speed up Electronic Toll
Collections in all National & State highways & implementation of mandatory use of FASTAGS.
✓ Reforms in Motor Vehicles Act to simplify inter-State movement with simplified procedures.
- Poor Road Capacity - Allow private providers to enhance Public transport in road segment.
- Lack of seamless passenger/freight movement across country – need to secure consensus on
interstate passenger/freight tax, construct missing road links, greater centre – state and inter-
ministerial coordination etc.
- Road Safety – > 1.5 lakhs people die every year in road accidents ie. 16 death in every 1 hour
✓ Major Causes of Road Accidents: Drivers’ fault (over speeding, drunk driving etc.),
Unscientifically designed and Poor condition of roads (Speed bumps, potholes, Black spots),
Poor Vehicle standards (India meets just 2 of the 7 minimum safety standards identified by the
WHO), Lack of effective Regulatory framework, etc.
✓ Solution - Need for creation and effective functioning of National Road safety authority/Road
Safety board, awareness/education and driver training, creation of truck terminals for parking
to ease traffic congestion and accidents, implementation of Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act,
2019, eliminate black spots, standardise reporting of accidents, enhance preparedness to
provide medical services within 10 minutes of accident, improve vehicular safety standards etc
• Absence of Regulator for Road sector - Need for an independent regulator.
- For Tariff setting, uniformity of standards, quality of services, registration of contracts, monitoring
and compliance of concession agreements, assessment of concession claims, renegotiating
contracts, addressing concerns of general public and lenders on road projects.
- For contract enforcement - To address issues of litigation and arbitration arising out of Model
Concession Agreements. In absence of regulator many disputes land in courts (eg. Delhi Gurgaon
expressway), increasing court’s case load.
- To eliminate conflict of interest – Currently NHAI serves as all-in-one rule making, implementing, &
adjudicating body.

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11.2 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

ROAD SAFETY
• Passage of Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019 covering entire gamut of road safety.
• Project iRASTE (intelligent Solutions for Road Safety through Technology and Engineering).
• National Road Safety Policy and Constitution of the National Road Safety Council as the apex body to
take policy decisions in matters of road safety.
• Integrated Road Accidents (IRAD) Project: Under World Bank Assistance that will enable capture of road
accidents & their geotagging through a tablet provided to first responder ie. police.
• SukhadYatra App (for information on tolls) and Toll-Free Emergency Number.
• Quick response ambulances: in every 50 kms on National Highways by the NHAI.
• Good Samaritans Guidelines – to prevent harassment of those who help road accident victims.
• Advocacy/Publicity campaign on road safety For eg. Comic books like Swachha Safar & Surakshit Yatra,
• Setu Bharatam: it aims to make all National Highways free of railway level crossings.
IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY
• National Highway Development Programme (NHDP) & Bharatmala Pariyojana
• Parvatmala - National Ropeways Development Programme: improve connectivity for commuters with
preferred, ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas.
• Char Dham Highway Project: to improve connectivity to the Char Dham pilgrimage centres in the
Himalayas i.e. Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
• Inclusive Road Infra - Scheme for development of NH and state roads in LWE areas, Special Accelerated
Road Development Programme for North East Region ( SARDP- NE)
FREIGHT
• Bharatmala Pariyojana – Multi-modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs): on a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model.
• Freight Smart Cities’ to enhance urban freight efficiency and reduce logistics costs.
• Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme (LEEP): to enhance the freight transportation in India
through reducing cost/time, tracking and transferability of consignments through IT interventions.
• Electronic Toll collection facility with FASTags device on all national highways
GOVERNANCE
• Bhoomi Rashi: To expedite the process of publication of notifications for land acquisition.
• VAHAN: App under e-Transport Mission Mode Project for Vehicle Registration, Permit, Taxation, Fitness
• Bidder Information Management System (BIMS): To streamline process of pre-qualification of bidders
for Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) mode of contracts for National Highway works.
• National Highways Investment Promotion Cell (NHIPC) – created by NHAI for attracting domestic and
foreign investment for highways projects.
• Other initiatives - Road corridor along DMIC Computerisation & interconnection of RTOs & DTOs,
National & State register of Motor vehicles, 100% FDI under automatic route.
SUSTAINABILITY
• Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy 2015: for greening
of Highway corridors with participation of community, farmers, private sector, NGOs, and government.

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1. What is Bharatmala?
• Flagship project – largest highways project after the National Highways Development Programme
(NHDP).
• It will subsume unfinished parts of NHDP & focus on new initiatives like: Economic corridors
development, National Corridors Efficiency improvements, Border & International connectivity roads,
Coastal & port connectivity roads, Green Field Expressways

2. How will Bharatmala benefit the Indian economy?

• Improved connectivity - Seamless movement of goods and people + coastal roads to facilitate
Sagarmala initiative.
• Reduced logistic costs - Newer roads ➔ lower traffic congestion ➔ lower transit time ➔ decreased
supply chain costs from current average 18% to 6% ➔ positive impact on exports and investment.
• Employment generation potential - Expected to create nearly 22 million jobs as a result of the
increased economic activity.
• Bridge regional disparity in existing highways infrastructure – by connecting backward and tribal areas
with national roads.

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• Strategic significance – ease the access and mobility along border/hilly areas, ease of military
transportation, improved trade opportunities with neighboring countries etc ➔ Social integration +
peace & security (internal & at border) + greater threat preparedness (disasters)
• Incentivizes States’ participation - Grand Challenge mechanism is to be adopted to encourage State
Government participation in implementation of the program. Projects that are supported by proactive
effort by the concerned State Governments shall be taken up on priority basis.

3. What are the possible challenges faced by Bharatmala?

• Land Acquisition, Environmental Clearances
• Stalling of projects
• Funding issues – Twin Balance Sheet challenge
• Competition with existing BOT projects, PPP issues
• Regulatory issues

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 QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (QEP): TARGET 2024/25
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12 RAILWAY SECTOR

12.1 RAILWAY SECTOR: ISSUES & CHALLENGES

• Inadequate investment: Poor internal finances as a result of populist pricing policy, practice of cross
subsidization, poor operating ratios, inadequate private sector investment, etc. ➔ Lack of resources for
operation, maintenance, and technological upgradation of railways assets (tracks, coaches, signals).
• Outdated and Overloaded infrastructure: Current burden exceeds carrying capacity, exceeding as high
as 150% on some routes (Optimal utilization is 80-90% of capacity).
- Practice of introducing new trains without commensurate inputs for infrastructure further leads to
increased congestion.
- High capacity utilization leaves less time for safety inspections and maintenance.
• Railways safety issues – Inadequate investment, Poor infrastructure, Over Utilization of routes,
Negligence in Track Renewal and Maintenance, Human error, Slow pace of technology adoption/Failure
of railway equipment, Accidents at unmanned level crossings, sabotage and encroachment ➔ leading
to derailment, collision, fire, asset failure ➔ loss of lives of people and staff.
• Excessively centralised Organizational set up, Political interference – Delays in decision making,
inadequate market orientation, long project approval process➔ delays in project implementation.
• Human resources – large no. of vacancies in critical areas, lack of training, motivation, long working
hours for drivers ➔ decreased productivity & increased chances of human error.
• Poor customer service – Poor cleanliness, delays in departures/arrival, poor quality of food, difficulty in
ticket booking etc.

12.2 RAILWAY SECTOR: RECOMMENDED REFORMS

(A) Railway Modernization (as recommended by Sam Pitroda
committee on Railway Modernization) VARIOUS COMMITTEES ON RAILWAY
RESTRUCTURING & REFORMS
• Modernise core assets like coaches, tracks, bridges,
• Prakash Tandon Committee (1994)
signals, rolling stock, stations etc. • Rakesh Mohan Committee (2001)
• Investment in new generation Electric and Diesel • Anil Kakodkar Committee (2012) on
locomotives, high speed LHB coaches and heavy haul Railway Safety
freight bogies etc. • Sam Pitroda Committee (2012) on Railway
• Indigenous production through enhanced railways R&D Modernisation
ecosystem. • Bibek Debroy Committee (2015) -
mobilization of resources for major railway
• Sourcing world class technology from world leaders –
projects and restructuring of Railway.
Japan, China, Europe etc.
• Green Railways: Green toilets, Solar energy run platforms and Trains.
• Use of ICT- status of train timings, frequency, delays, monitoring, mobile ticketing, commerce, social
media for image makeover, enhancement of communication services (voice, data & video services) and
improvement in quality of passenger services.
(B) Railway Safety (as recommended by Anil Kakodkar committee on Railway Safety)
• Setting up of an independent statutory: such as Railway Safety Regulatory Authority.
• Strengthen present Railway Safety Commission to undertake meaningful safety inspections.

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• Research Organisations:
- Setting up Research and Development Council as apex body with research centres under it. To be
manned by expert, technologists, scientists. 2% of annual Railway revenue to be allocated for R&D.
- Research Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO) to be given greater autonomy to absorb new
technologies.
• Elimination of all manned and unmanned level crossings, within 5 years, by constructing Railways Over-
Bridges and underpasses.
• Monitoring of bridges for safety – 3000 bridges are more than 100 yrs old.
• New & Safe Technologies: Installation of advanced signalling system within 5 years; All new coaches to
be of safer LHB design; Upgradation and maintenance of Railway tracks.
• Dedicated freight corridors and high speed passenger train corridors – separating Passenger and
Freight traffic, better service delivery, reduced waiting time.
(C) Resource mobilization (Kakodkar + Sam Pitroda + Bibek Debroy committee)
• Non lapsable safety fund to be financed out of safety cess/ Modernization surcharge from passengers
of different classes in graded manner.
• Rationalise railway fares, linking it to inflation & fuel prices. Freight tariffs to be made competitive
• Disinvestment in Railway PSUs.
• Allowing Private players in running freight and passenger trains, PPP, FDI (except in operations), Foreign
assistance/technological know how (DMIC (Japan), Bullet trains (China))
• Commercial utilization of railway land bank and air space.
• Increase retail revenues from railway stations, contracting space to private players.
• Merging of Railway and General Budget and transition to commercial accounting.
• Set up investment committee with help of RBI and SEBI to use platforms like INVIT, NBFC etc to finance
investment
(D) Reforming Organizational set up (Rakesh Mohan + Sam Pitroda + Bibek Debroy committee)
• Corporatization of Indian railways into Indian Railways corporations (IRC)
• Separation of Regulatory, Management, Policy making functions all currently vested in Railway board,
• Regulatory function to be vested in an independent statutory Railway Regulatory Authority of India to
regulate IRC activities as a monopoly supplier of rail services.
• Management function to be carried out by a reformed Railway Board
- Reorganise Railway board along business discipline eg. Safety, Business development, freight,
passenger service, IT, HR etc
- Chairman as CEO.
- Parliamentary liasoning function to be vested in joint secretary, relieving RB to attend to other
important business issues.
- Decentralization - Empower Zonal railways along with accountability.
• Policy making function in apex Governance board with representative from Government, civil society,
experts, users, financier, PPP players (Railway board to be subservient to GB)
• Separate freight and passenger operations.
• Review of Railway act and Railway board act to facilitate intended reforms.
• Railways Tariff Regulatory Authority in order to provide a level playing field to all stakeholders.

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• Railway should focus on core areas – not run any schools, hospitals, catering, police force, production
& construction units.
• Human Resources – All group A services to be categorised into Technical & Non Technical services, HMIS,
training, timely recruitment, lateral entries, reward system, family welfare of staff.
• Private Participation: Bibek Debroy committee recommended that the railways sector should follow
“liberalization and not privatization”. For this, it should allow entry of new operators “to encourage
growth and improve services.”

12.3 KEY INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
• Introduction of dynamic pricing of railway fares and Merger of Rail Budget and Finance Budget.
• Railway Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) – to finance Rail Infrastructure.
• Rail Drishti Portal - That brings key information from various sources on a single dashboard to promote
transparency and accountability.
ORGANISATIONAL RESTRUCTURING
• Unification of the existing eight Group A services of the Railways into a Central Service called Indian
Railway Management Service (IRMS).
• Re-organisation of Railway Board on functional lines
• Reforms in HR Management System: aims to bring all HR activities on a digital platform.

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INFRASTRUCTURE
• National Rail Plan (NRP) 2030: Build infrastructure by 2030 to cater to traffic requirements up to 2050.
• Vision 2024 document (based on NRP) - To enhance modal share of Railways in freight transport to >
40% and Upgrade speed of important routes to 130 - 160 Kmph (currently 110 Kmph).
• Electrification of Railways: 100% electrification of entire broad-gauge network by 2023.
• Mission Greening: Net-zero emitter of carbon by 2030.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat in Railways: More than 95% of Electric Locomotive components sourced
indigenously.
• Train 18 or Vande Bharat Train: indigenously manufactured Semi High Speed (160 Kmph), Self-Propelled

FREIGHT
• Freight on Priority policy: push for an aggressive customer-centric approach to expand the freight.
• Time-tabled parcel services: to provide reliable services to courier services, e-commerce companies.
• Kisan Rail Services - Enable dispatch of farmers produce pan India with enhanced speed & reduced cost.
• Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy: Launched to fast track the approvals and ease of establishing Cargo
Terminals to increase the freight loading share of Indian Railways.

GOVERNANCE
• RailMadad: The Complaint Management Portal for redressal of customers’ grievances.
• ‘SAMANVAY’ Portal for co-ordination with State Governments
• “Rail Good Work Portal” - to record the innovations and good work done by its employees
• SHRAMIK Special: “Trains of Hope in Adversity” in context of COVID-19 pandemic & related lockdown.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

• Shrestha - New R&D organisation to serve the future technology needs of Railways.
• Sutra - World class data analytics, simulation softwares & decisions support systems
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
• Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojna: For technical training to the unemployed youths in various trades.
• ‘Project Saksham’ - massive training programme, competence building of all Indian Railway employees.

TOURISM
• Bharat Gaurav scheme: is a theme-based tourist circuit trains scheme.
SAFETY & SECURITY
• Establishment of Railway Safety Fund (RSF) for conversion of all unmanned level crossing.
• Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (corpus of 1 lakh cr) for completion of critical safety related works.
• Replacement of Old Mechanical Signalling with Electronic Signalling, installation of CCTVs etc
• Production of ICF Coaches stopped from 2018 ➔ Complete switchover to safer LHB Coaches. Adding
Vistadome coaches with Panoramic view.
• Mission Zero Accidents - All Unmanned level crossings have been eliminated on Broad Gauge.
• Railway Commando Battalion ‘CORAS’: to tackle menace of terrorism/naxalism in Railways launched.
• “MeriSaheli” initiative taken for focused action on security of women travelling in trains

12.4 NEW METRO RAIL POLICY

• Policy framed by - Urban Development Ministry
• Key features
- Mandatory PPP component for availing central assistance for new metro projects.

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- Mandatory 5 km catchment area - Last mile connectivity (feeder services through walking, cycling
and para-transit modes)
- Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) for preparing comprehensive mobility plan
(CMP) ➔ Creation of a strong, single lead institution to take care of planning and development of
all modes of transport (buses, rail, non motorised transport etc)
- Mandatory Alternate Analysis requiring evaluation of other modes of mass transit like BRTS Light
Rail Transit, Tramways, Metro Rail and Regional Rail in terms of demand, capacity, cost and ease of
implementation ➔least cost and best suited mass transit mode is selected for public transport.
- State’s active participation - The proposals for central assistance for project to be mooted by the
State Government ➔ Project based on local needs.
- Mandatory Transit Oriented Development (TOD) that promotes compact and dense urban
development along metro corridors.
- Enhanced Revenues through innovative mechanism - value capture financing, betterment levy,
corporate bonds, non fare revenues (advertisements, lease of space etc.
- Third party assessment of new proposals
- Financial Sustainability - Noting that metro projects should stop turning into white elephants, the
policy stipulates an increase in rate of return from the current the 8% to 14%.

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-
- 13 SHIPPING, PORT & IWT SECTOR

13.1 SHIPPING & PORT SECTOR ISSUES

• Modal mix – Coastal shipping accounts for less than 6% of total freight traffic ➔ underutilized.
• Ageing fleet - Average age 18 years
• Poor domestic capacity - Only 10% freight by Indian ships, 90% dependency on foreign ships ➔ net
forex outgo.
• Lack of investment by private sector - complicated policy environment, delayed project planning,
flawed bidding process, land acquisition issues, delayed environmental clearances, rigid tariff, high risks,
lack of enabling infrastructure, PPP challenges etc
• Uncompetitiveness - Port congestion, procedural delays at customs➔High Turnaround time (2.5 days)
• Inadequate port depth – Thus, unable to handle large containers (18 m needed by Mother vessels).
Third-generation ships are not able to enter the harbour and goods have to be offloaded in Srilanka,
Singapore, Dubai etc. and then transhipped to India in smaller ships.
• Poor last Mile connectivity - Weak rail, road connectivity to hinterland and between production centre
& ports.
• Manpower shortage & increasing wage bills.
• High Port charges - India’s port charges are considerably higher than in many developed countries.

13.2 INLAND WATERWAYS ISSUES

• Inadequate Infrastructure - including ports, terminals, navigational aids, jetties, and dredging facilities.
• Limited Intermodal Connectivity between inland waterways, roads, and railways restricts seamless
movement of cargo and passengers, hinder ‘Last Mile’ connectivity.
• Lack of funds – inadequate funds from government, private companies reluctant to invest, bank
apprehensive to lend in high risk projects, limited FDI inflows etc.
• Technological Upgradation: Limited adoption of modern technologies and automation in areas such as
vessel tracking, navigation aids, and cargo handling impedes the efficiency and safety of IWT.
• Non-Availability of year-round depth for vessel navigation: Water variability due to seasonal changes,
droughts, and water resource management affects the reliability and consistency of IWT.
• Regulatory Framework: Lack of a comprehensive and streamlined regulatory framework for inland
waterways poses challenges in terms of safety standards, licensing, and operational guidelines.
• Issues of Inter-state coordination in jurisdiction, regulations, taxation, and administrative procedures.
• Environmental concerns- Dredging activities, construction of barrages, and channelization of rivers,
which can impact the ecological balance, water quality, and aquatic life in the surrounding areas.

13.3 SUGGESTIVE MEASURES: SHIPPING, PORT, IWT

• Facilitate access to capital – priority sector lending, VGF (limited period – 10 yrs), infra bonds etc.
• Develop measures for year round navigation – for eg. By developing deeper stretches of river, adequate
maintenance of river, continuous dredging to maintain adequate water depth, and opening up India’s
dredging market to International players.
• Ensure last mile connectivity - multi modal integration with ports. Time bound completion of Dedicated
Freight Corridor under Bharatmala, to ensure its linkage with ports.
• Expeditious implementation of Sagarmala and Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs).
• Enhance use of technology – Automation of custom processes, Mechanized cargo handling infra,
• PPP reforms & Tax incentives to attract domestic/global investors
• EoDB for shipping/port/IWT sector - ease regulatory environment

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• Streamline the governance of inland waterways – currently waterways are governed by multiple
authorities including Central Inland Water Corporation, port authorities, and state governments
• Develop inland waterways to facilitate movement of goods to neighbouring countries and North East
- India Bangladesh Inland Water Transit and Trade protocol allows India to use much faster and
shorter IWT route (Brahmaputra-Barak) to reach north east states. Extend the protocol by 10 years.
- Boost to Kaldan Multimodal project – Haldia---Sittwe---Kaladan (IWT)---Paletwa-----Mizoram (road)

1. What is Dredging?
• It is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbours, & other water bodies.

2. Need for Dredging

• Maintaining deeper depths at seaports & inland waterways to ensure the safe passage of boats and ships.
• Expansion & development of new ports ➔ attract large vessels, enable India to become a shipping hub.
• To create adequate space to construct important bridges and desilting of dams.
• Crucial for success of India’s maritime programmes such as Sagarmala, Jal Marg Vikas, Inland Waterways,
& River Linking.
• To reduce the exposure of fish, wildlife, and people to contaminants and to prevent the spread of
contaminants to other areas of the water body.
3. Key Participants in India’s Dredging Industry –
• Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) is the dominant player.
• Limited, but growing presence of private contractors, both domestic and foreign.

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4. Challenges of India’s Dredging Industry - Limited competition, shortage of trained & qualified personnel, lack
of dredger technology & repair capabilities, poor structuring of contracts, inefficient disposal of dredged
materials, environmental impact etc.

13.4 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES
• Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 – To make India a prime destination for green ship recycling by setting
certain regulations in line with international standards (Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling).
• Draft Coastal Shipping Bill, 2020 - to have a separate legislation on coastal shipping.
• Major Ports Authority (MPA) Act, 2020 - to allow greater autonomy to Major Ports in India.
• Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020 – to replace the Indian Ports Act, 1908. Aims at creation of improved,
comprehensive regulatory frameworks for the creation of new ports and management of existing ports.
TRADE AND LOGISTICS
• Sagarmala project & Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs)
• Maritime India Vision 2030: contains Targets to be achieved by Maritime Sector over the next decade.
• Port Community System: It is a cloud based technology that seamlessly integrates all stakeholders from
the maritime trade on a single platform.
• Forum of Cargo-Owners & Logistics-Operators (FOCAL) to connect cargo owners & shippers online.

INLAND WATER TRANSPORT

• Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): It is a National Waterways development project on river Ganga, between
Haldia-Varanasi (phase 1) stretch of National Waterway-1 (NW-1).
• Ro-Ro Ferry Services – in Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh etc.

GOVERNANCE
• Project Unnati global benchmarks adopted to improve the efficiency of major ports.
• Digitization: Digitized processes introduced such as Electronic Invoice (e-Invoice), Electronic Payment
(e-Payment) and Electronic Delivery Order (e-DO) for physical release of cargo by custodians.
• One Time Settlement Scheme (OTSS): to facilitate and expedite recovery of pending dues of Major Ports
• ‘SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes - Ports) - A dispute redressal institutional
mechanism to advise and assist in settlement of disputes through arbitrations in the maritime sector.

SAFETY & SECURITY

• Mercantile Marine Domain Awareness Centre (MM-DAC): It is an information system to enhance
maritime safety, search, rescue capability and environment protection was also launched.
• Biometric Seafarers Identity Document (BSID): to capture the facial biometric data of seafarers.
TOURISM
• Cruise Shipping: A national roadmap for development of cruise tourism has been made. E-visa facilities
for cruise passengers arriving in India, and concessional tariff rates for cruise ships.
• Ramayan Cruise: Ramayan Cruise Tour on the Saryu river in Ayodhya will be launched soon.
• Luxury cruise - first private premium luxury cruise liner ‘KARNIKA’.

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1. What is Sagarmala Project? What are its key components?

• It is a flagship programme of GoI to promote port-led development
• Aim – To unlock the full potential of India’s coastline and waterways to contribute in India's economic
growth, by reducing logistics costs.
• Components
- Port Modernization & New Port Development
- Port Connectivity Enhancement
- Port-linked Industrialization
- Coastal Community Development
2. What benefits would Sagarmala entail?
• Promoting Ease of doing business - Simplifying procedures for cargo movement, use of electronic
channels for information exchange etc.
• Expansion of trade – Port Modernization & New Port Development, optimal modal mix, port-proximate
industrial clusters, logistics parks, & Coastal Economic Zones ➔ improved global competitiveness.
• Lower logistics costs
• Enhancing connectivity with major economic hubs through rail, road, & air.
• Employment opportunities – potential to create 40 lakh new direct jobs & 60 lakh indirect jobs.
• Multiplier effect on other sectors -
- Construction sector (smart cities, industrial clusters, large ports)
- Marine sector (ship building, repair clusters, logistics services, fisheries, food processing)
- Tourism sector (Cruise tourism)
• FDI - PPP projects will attract the best domestic and international investors.
• Enabler & beneficiary of other projects - such as Make in India, Bharatmala, Dedicated Freight
Corridors, Industrial corridors, Startup India and Standup India.
• Sustainable development –
- Through community & rural development, tribal development and employment generation.
- Shifting of Industrial units towards ports, reducing delays & usage of non-renewable resources.
- Waterway transportation is less polluting.
3. What are Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs)
• The port led industrialization component of Sagarmala will be delivered through Coastal
Economic Zones (14 CEZ identified so far)
• Now renamed as Coastal Employment Zones, keeping in view their job-generating potential.
• Each CEZ will cover economic region consisting of several coastal districts with strong linkage to the
ports in that region.
• Each CEZs will also create synergy with industrial corridors passing through the region.
• Every CEZ will have several Coastal Employment Units (CEU), and in turn each CEU will have
several Port-Linked Industrial Clusters (PLIC). Each PLIC within CEU will have several manufacturing
units.
4. What are challenges to Sagarmala project?
• Environmental concerns & impact on marine ecology
• Financial constraints - More than Rs. 8 lakhs crores of funding needed
• Regulatory hurdles - major ports & minor ports come under the Centre & States respectively ➔
coordination issues.
• Non availability of modern technology

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• Other issues – difficulty in land acquisition, displacement of coastal communities, issues in inter-
ministerial coordination to develop optimal multi modal mix, PPP challenges, etc.
Way Forward
• Continue with increased use of information technology and automation to ensure paperless and
seamless transactions.
• Promote mechanization to improve and enhance the bulk cargo handling at the port in an efficient
manner, with zero handling loss
• Need to implement Kelkar Committee recommendations for the promotion of PPP projects
• Possibility of tax incentives should be explored to attract global investors
• The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) under Bharatmala should be completed in time-bound manner
to ensure its linkage with ports.
5. What is Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)?
• It is a National Waterways development project on river Ganga, between Haldia-Varanasi (phase 1)
stretch of National Waterway-1 (NW-1).
• Under this, 2 (of 3) Multi Modal Terminals (MMTs) have been constructed so far in Varanasi (UP) and
Sahibganj (Jharkhand).
• Objective: to develop a fairway (navigable waterway) with 3 metres depth to enable commercial
navigation of at least 1500 tonne vessels on the river.
• Collaboration: With the technical assistance and investment support of the World Bank.
• Includes - construction of multi-modal terminals, Ro-Ro terminals, provision of navigational aids, River
Information System (RIS) and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
• Benefits - Employment generation, Environmentally Sustainable transportation, Infrastructure
development, reduced Logistics Cost, National/International Connectivity (NE states, Neighbours)
6. What is a Ro-Ro ferry?
• They are large ocean-going vessels with either built-in or shore-based ramps that allow the cargo to be
efficiently rolled on and off the vessel when in port.
• These ferries carry wheeled cargo that are driven on and off the ferry on their own wheels or using a
platform vehicle for eg., cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars.

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-
14 AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL
14.1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING (AH)
• It refers to any housing that meets some form of affordability criterion, such as income level of the
family, size of the dwelling unit, or affordability in terms of EMI size or ratio of house price to annual
income (High Level Task Force on Affordable Housing for All, 2008).

14.2 AFFORDABLE HOUSING: KEY CONSTRAINTS

• Scarcity of land - High population density, rapid urbanization, illegal encroachments, and poorly planned
settlements. Limited access to suitable low cost land banks.
• Lack of access to finance from formal financial institutions.
- Obtaining finance is difficult for those employed in the unorganized sector or lack income proof.
- While Commercial banks have been traditionally averse to financing low income housing due to
perceived high risk, NBFCs have been facing acute liquidity crises.
• Regulatory constraints: Long-drawn out, multi-level approval system → delays. India ranks 185/187 in
World Bank’s Ease of obtaining Construction Permits.
• Capacity constraints in urban local bodies (ULBs) and other implementing agencies.
• High fees & taxation - like VAT, Service Tax, Stamp Duty etc. constitutes 30% to 35% of the home cost.
• Challenges in beneficiary selection. Insufficient number of trained masons.
• Limited private sector participation in affordable housing due to low profit margins.
• Risk-averse buyer sentiments – due to frail economic conditions, impacting employment and income.
• Vacant housing stock – Due high cost of land and low margins of affordable housing, projects get pushed
to peripheries of the cities, far away from job centres, with poor connectivity and lack of basic services
➔ thus, poor may prefer to live in inhabitable slums (25% of urban population lives in slums).

NEED FOR AFFORDABLE URBAN HOUSING IN INDIA

• Progressive urbanization – The percentage of urban population is expected to increase to 50% by 2050 (from
current 30%), creating a demand for additional 25 million affordable housing units by 2030.
• Urban housing shortage - The economically weaker sections (EWS) and low income group (LIG) accounted
for 96% of the total housing shortage in India, leading to proliferation of slums.
• Rising urban incomes - leading to the expansion of the middle class and a spike in demand for housing that
is “affordable”, but includes basic amenities.
• Key to Rapid economic growth
- Cities are engines of economic growth, and housing that can be afforded by the median wage-earner is
a pre-requisite for the city to attract and retain the labour force for economic success.
- Affordable housing close to place of work reduces physical, monetary, and mental costs associated with
transportation, thus, improving the labour and overall economic productivity.
• Contribution of real estate & construction sector: Real estate sector is expected to reach a market size of
US$ 1 trillion by 2030 and contribute 13% to India’s GDP by 2025. Housing is the largest component.
- Affordable housing projects will attract employers, employees and create jobs in the market.
• Multiplier effect on overall well being: Affordable housing has direct linkages with better access to
healthcare, education, basic amenities, security, connectivity, employment stability, high productivity, etc.
• Ease of living as fundamental right: In landmark case of Olga Tellis v Bombay Municipal Corporation, the
Supreme Court held that right to adequate housing & livelihood is a part of Right to Life (Article 21).
• COVID challenge - Large scale reverse migration of urban migrants/poor living in slums has highlighted the
need for affordable housing. Congested slums prone to become ‘virus epicentre’ in the future.

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