ADVANCES IN CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING

ADVANCES IN CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING

Cheemalakonda Ramakrishna
Guide: Mr. Chitranjan Kumar, Assistant Professor
Master of Technology in Structural Engineering
School of Engineering and Technology,

Shri Venkateshwara University,

U.P, Gajraula-244236

ABSTRACT

Infrastructure is defined as the basic physical systems of a business, region, or nation and often involves the production of public goods or production processes. Examples of infrastructure include transportation systems, communication networks, sewage, water, and school systems. Investments in infrastructure tend to be costly and capital-intensive, but vital to a region's economic development and prosperity. Projects related to infrastructure improvements may be funded publicly, privately, or through public-private partnerships. Civil infrastructure plays a pivotal role in societal development. Buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, roads, railways, and airfields are essential assets that contribute to the well-being of communities. However, these infrastructures face significant challenges, including exposure to natural forces and environmental degradation. As climate change intensifies, extreme events become more frequent, impacting society and emphasizing the urgency of sustainable solutions. In response, civil engineering continues to evolve, addressing emerging needs. Researchers, professionals, and students contribute to advancements in this field. Notably, green and intelligent technologies promote sustainability and resilience, mitigating environmental and social impacts. Infrastructure is the basic facilities and system serving a country, region, or community. Examples of infrastructure include mass transit and telecommunications networks. Large-scale infrastructure is usually produced by the public sector and funded by revenue. Infrastructure can often be produced on a smaller scale by private firms or through local authorities. Infrastructure can be classified as soft or hard and both are essential to the economy and quality of life of a society. Infrastructure is one of the most crucial pillars of productivity in any economy. Pushing infrastructure development and particularly organizing funds for infrastructure projects have been the biggest challenge in developing nations. The present study was taken up to review the infrastructure development and its financing in India. The study intended to 1. Study the infrastructure development in India in the 11th and 12th Five Year Plan, 2. examine the sources used for infrastructure financing in India, 3. Assess the actions taken by government to facilitate infrastructure financing and 4. Propose measures to augment infrastructure financing to overcome infrastructure deficit in the country. It was found that though Government of India and Reserve Bank of India have taken several initiatives to facilitate infrastructure financing, there still exists a vast gap between supply side and the demand side. Some of the recommendations given in the paper include the need to evolve innovative business models and mitigate administrative glitches to ensure larger private participation; exploit the untapped potential of diaspora; revisit the statutory liquidity ratio norms for banks; evolve the municipal bond market; boost regional integration and improved connectivity through creation of corridors between sub-continental regions, which would not only bridge the finance gap but also the knowledge gap, etc.