3 Benefits of Good Infrastructure
The most basic way to develop a country’s economy is by expanding its road. The stronger the connection between one place to another, the smoother the country will function. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, came to my podcast Figuring Out recently, and I asked him how building roads would impact our economy. He shared he has a quote by John F Kennedy on his office wall: “American roads are not good because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads are good.”
Mr. Gadkari says he follows this quote by heart and wants to see India reach that level. Here, we will discuss the benefits of good infrastructure.
1. Generates employment
From the moment a road is built to its completion, it takes a team of hardworking individuals every step of the way. So many people get involved in the process — raw material suppliers, laborers, engineers and architects. Once the roads are built, it demands maintenance; there’s also a need for toll tax. A well-built road cuts travelling time short, reduces traffic, and people can access places faster. Nobody wants to visit a place where the roads are in disrepair, covered in dust, and give the feeling of being on a bumpy ride.
Lets say, you want to go to a newly opened restaurant in a specific part of the city. If the roads to that place are dreadful and the traffic is high, you would ditch the plan and look for some other place. Imagine the ripple effect that a well-constructed road can have. It sets off a chain reaction, positively impacting various aspects of a region’s development.
2. Resilience
Well-designed infrastructure can withstand and recover quickly from natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods. Any emergency, where it is required to dispatch additional forces or to remove people from a particular area can be done smoothly with well-maintained infrastructure.
Moreover, modern infrastructure can support renewable energy sources, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and promoting environmental sustainability, which is the need of the moment. Robust infrastructure also reduces road accidents. It is a country’s identity — how well connected its flights, roads and trains are.
3. Brings in more industries
Good infrastructure encompasses more than just roads. It includes a comprehensive network of airports, railways, and communication systems. Better connectivity equals better chances of commerce. The export of goods will be more accessible, and so will the import. India is expected to be one of the largest economies by 2047, with a GDP of $35–40 trillion. The more significant infrastructure facilities pave the way for more extensive investments in that sector.
Industries will bring in capital investment, which will lead to jobs and grow the country’s economy. So, you see, it’s all connected.
High-speed connectivity, sustainable mobility, and safer transport are some of the goals the government has in mind for the long-term development of infrastructure for the next 25 years. The secret behind the advancement of first world countries is their smooth connectivity and top-class infrastructure. In the recent few years, India has seen development in terms of infrastructure, and we hope that we will get to see more soon.
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