1. Introduction

Infrastructure is the support system on which depends the efficient working of a modern industrial economy. Modern agriculture also largely depends on it not only for speedy and large-scale transport of seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and the produce by making use of modern roadways, railways and shipping facilities, but also on insurance and banking facilities because of its need to operate on a very large scale.

Infrastructure contributes to economic development of a country both by increasing the productivity of the factors of production and improving the quality of life of its people. It provides supporting services not only for industrial and agricultural production, but also for domestic and foreign trade and commerce. These services include roads, railways, ports, airports, dams, power stations, oil and gas pipelines, telecommunication facilities, the country’s educational system including schools and colleges, health system including hospitals, sanitary system including clean drinking water facilities and the monetary system including banks, insurance and other financial institutions. Some of these facilities have a direct impact on the working of the system of production while others give indirect support by building the social sector of the economy.