1. Introduction 2. Relation between Infrastructure & Economic Development 3. Roads and Road Transport 3.1. Government Initiatives 3.2. Way Ahead 3.2.1. NHDP 3.2.2. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna(PMGSY)3.3. Additional Schemes/Initiatives 3.3.1. Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North-Eastern Region (SARDP-NE)3.3.2. Road Requirement Plan (RRP) for improvement of road connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)3.3.3. Central Road and Infrastructure Fund 3.3.4. Border Roads Organization 3.3.5. Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 3.4. New Initiatives 3.4.1. Bharatmala 3.4.2. SetuBharatam Program 3.4.3. Promoting Road Safety 3.4.4. Skill Development 3.4.5. Roadside Amenities 3.4.6. National Highways Interconnectivity Improvement Project 3.4.7. Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme (LEEP)3.4.8. Highway Construction Policies 3.5. Green Initiatives 3.6. E- Initiatives 3.7. Road Connectivity Projects with Neighbouring Countries 3.8. Recommendations of Rakesh Mohan Committee (National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTDPC))4. Railways 4.1. Rolling Stock 4.2. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) ♤ Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, (Dadri, U.P to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai— 1,468 km) (WDFC)4.3. Commission of Railway Safety 4.4. Key Developments 4.4.1. Passenger Amenities and Services 4.4.2. High Speed Trains 4.4.3. Railways Development Authority 4.4.4. Digital India Initiatives 4.4.5. Finance 4.4.6. Safety 4.4.7. Security 4.4.8. Electrification and Signalling 4.4.9. Green Initiatives 4.4.10. Memorandum of Understanding 4.5. Various Committees for Reforms 4.5.1. Recommendations of Rakesh Mohan Committee (National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTPDC))4.5.2. The Bibek Debroy Committee 4.6. Challenges and Suggestions 3 pillars of the strategy for Indian Railways has been proposed by the Government:4.7. Key Issues a) Interconnected, hierarchical transport network b) Causality and Timeliness c) Rebalancing and Capacity d) Funding e) Pricing f) Urban Transport g) Governance and Institutions h) Skills and Human Resources 5. Civil Aviation 5.1. Agencies related to Civil Aviation 5.1.1. Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)5.1.2. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)5.1.3. Airports Authority of India (AAI)5.1.4. Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL)5.1.5. National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016)5.2. Challenges & Recommendations 5.3. Recommendations of NTDPC 6. Ports and Shipping 6.1. National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP)6.2. Shipping 6.3. Coastal Shipping 6.4. Inland Water Transport 6.4.1. Jal Marg Vikas Project 6.5. Shipping Corporation of India 6.6. Shipbuilding Industry in India a) New shipbuilding yards b) Ship repair 6.7. Key Developments 6.7.1. Sagar Mala Project 6.7.2. Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016 6.7.3. Revamped Merchant Shipping Bill to replace Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 6.7.4. Admiralty Bill, 2016 6.7.5. Maritime India Summit, 2016 6.7.6. Measures to improve Efficiency 6.7.7. Special Initiatives in Ports 6.7.8. Vision Document for Coastal Shipping, Tourism and Regional Development 6.8. Challenges 6.9. Recommendations of NTDPC 7. Energy Break up of Total Installed Capacity 7.2. Energy Efficiency 7.2.1. Energy Efficiency Mission 7.2.2. India Energy Security Scenario 2047 7.3. Energy Pricing 7.3.1. Pricing of Petroleum Products 7.3.2. Coal Prices 7.3.3. Electricity Prices 7.4. Oil and Gas Production 7.4.1. Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP)8. Power 8.1. Power Availability in India 8.2. Key Developments in Power Sector 8.2.1. Amendments in Tariff Policy 8.2.2. Mobile Applications and Websites Launched to Ensure Accountability and Transparency 8.2.3. Foreign Direct Investment 8.2.4. National Grid 8.2.5. Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY)8.2.6. Smart Grid Mission 8.2.7. Rural Electrification 8.3. Coal 8.3.1. Coal Imports 9. Renewable Energy 9.1. Policy Initiatives 9.1.1. Draft Policy for 2nd Generation Ethanol 9.2. Key Developments 10. Telecommunications 10.1. Present Status 10.2. Tele-Density 10.3. Composition of the Market 10.4. Broadband Figure: Number of broadband subscribers 10.5. National Telecom Policy 2012 10.6. Manufacturing of Telecom Equipment 10.7. Universal Service Obligation Fund 10.8. National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN)10.9. Transition to New Internet Protocol 10.10. Regulatory Framework 10.10.1. Net Neutrality 10.11. Research & Development 10.12. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)11. Kelkar Committee Report: Revisiting & Revitalizing the PPP Model of Infrastructure Development 12. Previous Years GS Mains Questions 1. Is increasing energy efficiency an important way to contain energy demand, without jeopardising growth? Also give an account of the measures taken up for the same.Answer:2. “In India, tertiary roads are given tertiary treatment”. In this context, elaborate on the importance of developing rural roads in the country. Also highlight the success of PMGSY in ushering the much-needed bottom-up reforms.Answer:3. Smart Grids will bring the Communication, IT and Power Technologies in unison and establish a comprehensive power infrastructure in the country”. In light of this statement elaborate the role that can be played by smart grids in solving India’s energy problems.Answer:4. Despite one of the longest coastlines in the world, India’s port facilities and shipping industry are beset by numerous problems. Explain. Discuss some of the corrective measures taken by the government to overcome these problems.Answer:5. Dedicated freight corridors have a huge potential to revive the manufacturing sector in the country Explain. What are the various issues which have slowed down the implementation of these projects?Answer:How can DFCs help in reviving the manufacturing sector:Issues slowing the implementation of projects 6. Examine the issue of mismatch between potential and actual utilisation of waterways in India. Give an account of the government initiatives in the recent years aimed at removing this anomaly.Answer:Government initiatives:7. Even though the construction sector has significant multiplier effect on the economy, in recent years, it has been showing signs of stress. What are the causes for such a state of affairs? In this context, also highlight the steps taken by the government.Answer:8. India’s rail infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the rate at which both passenger and freight traffic has increased substantially over the years. Comment. In light of the Kakodar committee recommendations, enumerate the measures that can be taken in this regard.Answer:Effects:Way forward 9. Despite the government claiming excess electricity production, the power situation for households continues to remain bleak in many parts of the country. Explain the reasons behind this. How can the UDAY scheme help in improving the current situation?Answer:Reasons for this paradox:UDAY scheme: A way out?Further reforms:10. The recently launched UDAN scheme to develop the regional aviation market will not only ensure affordability and connectivity but also growth and development of the civil aviation market. Elaborate.Answer:Ensuring affordability and connectivity Development of domestic aviation market Challenges 11. An effective multi-modal logistics and transport sector will make the Indian economy more competitive. Analyse.Answer:13. Previous Years UPSC Mains Questions