Infrastructure & Gati Shakti – Connecting a Faster-Growing India

India’s infrastructure expansion is becoming one of the most important foundations of its growth story. Highways, railways, metros, ports, airports and logistics networks are not isolated projects—they form an integrated system that can reduce travel time, lower business costs and connect businesses and communities with new opportunities. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, introduced a more coordinated approach to infrastructure planning. Its goal is to connect different modes of transport and improve last-mile delivery instead of developing roads, railways, ports and airports separately. Road infrastructure remains central to this transformation. India’s national highway network increased from approximately 91,287 kilometres in 2014 to around 1,46,572 kilometres by March 2026. High-speed corridors have also expanded substantially, improving links between major cities, industrial clusters, ports and economic centres. Railways are being modernised through electrification, new lines, doubling and dedicated freight corridors. Under the Gati Shakti framework, 300 railway projects covering 13,808 kilometres were sanctioned during the last three financial years and the current year. These projects include new lines, gauge conversion and track expansion designed to increase capacity and improve reliability. Multimodal logistics is perhaps the most important part of the strategy. Cargo terminals allow goods to shift more efficiently between road and rail, while better links to ports can make Indian exports more competitive. Government data indicate that 139 multimodal terminals are operational, with 300 additional locations approved for development. Urban transport is also changing. Metro networks, regional rapid-transit systems and improved public transport can reduce congestion, shorten commuting times and support more productive cities. As India urbanises, efficient mobility will be essential for connecting workers with jobs and businesses with customers. The economic impact can extend well beyond construction. Infrastructure spending creates direct employment, stimulates demand for steel, cement and machinery, and encourages private investment near new corridors. Better logistics can help manufacturers reduce inventory costs, improve delivery times and integrate more deeply into global supply chains. Execution remains the key challenge. Land acquisition, environmental clearances, financing, maintenance and coordination between central and state agencies can delay projects. Infrastructure must also be designed for climate resilience, safety and long-term sustainability. Gati Shakti represents a broader shift from building individual assets to designing connected economic networks. If implementation remains efficient, India’s highways, railways, metros and logistics corridors can become engines of manufacturing, trade, employment and inclusive growth—helping connect a faster-growing India with the global economy.