Indian Infrastructure- Industry Analysis

Increased impetus to develop infrastructure in the country is attracting both domestic and international players. Private sector is emerging as a key player across various infrastructure segments, ranging from roads and communications to power and airports. In order to boost the construction of buildings in the country, the Government of India has decided to come up with a single window clearance facility to accord speedy approval of construction projects.

In March 2021, the combined index of eight core industries stood at 122.5. In the road’s sector, the Government’s policy to increase private sector participation has proved to be a boon for the infrastructure industry as many private players are entering the business through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. India is expected to become the third largest construction market globally by 2022. India plans to spend US$ 1.4 trillion on infrastructure projects through the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), from 2019 to 2023, to ensure sustainable development in the country.

In the Union Budget 2021, the government allocated Rs. 60,241 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) for road works and Rs. 57,350 crore (US$ 7.88 billion) for the National Highways. The government plans to construct 8,500-kms road by March 2022. Moreover, an additional 11,000 kms of National Highway corridors will be completed by March 2022. The government announced an outlay of Rs. 118,101 crore (US$ 16.20 billion) for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Also, the government, under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, was awarded a project worth Rs. 5.35 lakh crore (US$ 73.37 billion) including construction of >13,000 kms of roads worth Rs. 3.3 lakh crore (US$ 45.26 billion). The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways announced that it achieved a milestone by constructing 13,298 kms of National Highways, with construction of 37 kms per day in FY21. In May 2021, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Nitin Gadkari stated that the government is giving utmost priority to infrastructure development and has set a target of road construction of worth Rs. 15 lakh crore (US$ 206 billion) in the next two years.

For FY21, Indian Railways has the highest-ever planned capex of Rs. 215,058 crore (US$ 29.52 billion). As per the Union Budget 2021, the Ministry of Railways has been allocated Rs. 110,055 crore (US$ 15.09 billion). In FY21, the Indian Railways recorded the highest loading in freight transportation of 1,232.63 million tonnes. With this, the freight revenue of Indian Railways increased to ~Rs. 1,17,386 crore (US$ 15.84 billion) in the same period, as against Rs. 1,13,897 crore (US$ 15.36 billion) in FY20. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic challenges, Indian Railways' freight made the highest-ever loading of 114.8 MT for May 2021, which is 9.7% more than May 2019 (104.6 MT).

In the Union Budget 2021, Rs. 9,000 crore (US$ 1.24 billion) has been allocated to create and augment telecom infrastructure in the country. Also, the Budget 2021 allocated Rs. 42,824 crore (US$ 5.88 billion) for the energy sector. Through the budget, the government announced Rs. 305,984 crore (over five years) for a revamped, reforms-based and result-linked new power distribution sector scheme.

The Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) scheme was launched to establish world-class infrastructure in the textile sector and establish seven textile parks over three years. The government announced Rs. 305,984 crore (US$ 42 billion) over the next five years for a revamped, reforms-based and result-linked new power distribution sector scheme.

According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), FDIs in the construction development sector (townships, housing, built up infrastructure and construction development projects) and construction (infrastructure) activities stood at US$ 26.08 billion and US$ 24.72 billion, respectively, between April 2000 and March 2021.  In FY21, infrastructure activities accounted for 13% share of the total FDI inflows of US$ 81.72 billion.