Sao Paulo Metro

Sao Paulo Metro

One of the biggest rail infrastructure project underway is the expansion of Sao Paulo Metro, currently its Line 6. The Sao Paulo Metro is the second largest in South America, serves 65 stations and covers more than 70 kilometres. Line 6 especially will cover 15 stations, stretching more than 15 stations. It is an important example of public-private partnership model, as private companies have participated in its construction from its inception.

This metro project is very important to alleviate the traffic burden on other forms if transport. “In 2002 about 7.4 million journeys on public transport and 8 million car journeys took place in São Paulo. Then, the number of journeys by car represented 53 per cent of the daily total of motorised journeys in the Metropolitan Region, an increase from 48 per cent in 1997.” (Lsecities) Hence, with the development of Line 4 and integration of all subway, commuter and bus networks, it has helped to improve transportation for more than 600,000 residents. It has helped an increase in public participation of public transport. With all lines operational by 2020, Sao Paulo could be a major economic player in the future.

Sochi Olympic Park

Sochi Olympics Park

One of the most successful Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games was held last year in Sochi, Russia. Housing the main Olympics site for sports, it also consists of training facilities, the Olympic Village, the international broadcasting centre, and other amenities. The park was designed so that all of the venues would be accessible within walking distance of each other.

Now, the park has started hosting other important sporting events such as Ice Skating Grand Prix, World Chess Championship, Ice Hockey events etc. Now, it is expected to hold matches of the FIFA Confederation Cup (2017), Formula Grand Prix and FIFA World Cup(2018). “Currently, Sochi attracts 4 million tourists per year. Before the Olympics, just 1 percent came from abroad.” (RussiaToday). The facilities which are introduced for the Games can be used for many years by citizens of Sochi(which in turn could lead it to be one of the most important economic centre in Russia). Businesses such as hotel, restaurant, retail shops etc. see a massive jump in their revenues. 

Moscow Central Ring Road

Moscow Central Ring Road

The disintegration of USSR had let Russia to be considered a “developed country”, but still without any major infrastructural project in its name. This might soon change with the completion of Moscow Central Ring Road by 2018. Expected to encircle Moscow and cover 521 kilometres, 4-8 lines and with a maximum speed of 150 kmph, the Central Ring Road will boost Moscow’s image.

It will easily deal with Moscow’s ever-growing traffic. It will also reduce traffic congestion on Moscow Ring Road, the premier expressway in the city. “The new Central Ring Road will be equipped with road traffic automated control systems with weather stations and landing sites for air ambulance and rescue services’ helicopters. There are also plans for installation of noise barriers close to settlements. During the building of the road environmental issues are expected to be also taken into account, through the building of a system of storm water drainage and special crossings for animals. It is planned that The Federal Road Agency (Rosavtodor) will be responsible for the implementation of the project and will manage it.” (Worldhighways.com) Since it is built on a PPP model, it will be expensive to use it. 

Beijing Daxing International Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport

With this century seen as “Asian Century”, China is expected to play a very important role. And its investing heavily into improving its infrastructure. Its capital Beijing is getting revamped. With an additional airport planned, Beijing can serve as an axis around which China and her allies can revolve.

Though the airport is located 46 kilometres away from the city, it is necessary to remove the burden on the existing airport. The second airport is also expected to be well-accessible by connecting with High Speed Rail (HSR), metro, expressways and bus networks. “The new airport is expected to serve the regions of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. The airport will cover an area of 2,680 hectares (6,600 acres). The projected completion date for the new airport is October 2018

Yangshan Deepwater Port

Yangshan Deepwater Port

An upcoming water infrastructure project in China, the Yangshan Deepwater Port is connected to the world’s busiest port, the Shanghai Port. One of the main reason why the latter has helped China to become the world’s largest trader(and also the reason why many of the products you buy is Made in China) is Yangshan Port which has the capacity to harbour the world’s largest containers and can hold 12 million containers.

There is another interesting factor that the bridge connecting the port to the Donghai Bridge is the world’s longest sea bridge. This project has been developed as part of China’s economic reforms. It is the first “free-port” of the country. The following are the advantages from a Chinese website, Shinlang.com:

Advantage 1: -15 m water depth with the building of ports and waterways before. Yangshan Sea tide strong, not easy to drop sediment deposition, coastal waters, seabed and the basic stability of the past century.

Advantage 2: to ensure the ship's navigation and berthing safety. Port engineering solutions through the model test has repeatedly demonstrated that implementation of the project, after basically no impact on the natural conditions, can maintain the original water depth, and the size of the Yangshan Island chain, forming a natural barrier to mooring in good conditions.

Advantage 3: Engineering technical and economic feasibility. Engineering geological conditions of the waters of good and suitable for constructing the Hong Kong conditions; In addition, the building of long-distance cross-sea bridge in the world is also a precedent.

Advantage 4: Meet the world's law of development of the port out to sea. According to reports, the Yangshan Deepwater Port Area Master Plan to 2012 can be formed more than 10 kilometres deep-water coastline, arranged more than 30 berths, through capacity-more than 15 million standard containers. The works will include a port project, the East China Sea Bridge, the Luchaogang auxiliary supporting projects such as three parts.

South American Transcontinental Railway Road

South American Transcontinental Railway Road

A major South American infrastructure deal is in the works as China’s prime minister tours the region this week. Beijing is hoping to back and build an ambitious interoceanic railway between Brazil and Peru that could make for faster, cheaper transportation of local commodities to resource-thirsty Chinese markets. The proposed rail link, known as the Twin Ocean Railroad, would connect Porto do Açu, a Brazilian Atlantic port, with Peru’s Puerto Ilo on the Pacific Ocean through some 3,300 miles (5,300 km) of rail. The railway is expected to cut transportation time and reduce the cost of shipping grain from Brazil to China by about $30 a ton.

The rail line is estimated to cost $10 billion and reach completion in six years; around 2,000 miles of it will run through Brazil. There are high financial hopes for the deal. China, currently facing an economic slowdown, would be able to access raw materials more efficiently and at a lower cost if the railway is successfully completed. It could also be a major boost to Latin America’s sluggish economies. High-speed rail could help get products to the Pacific, which is a growing destination for Latin American exports, but it could also facilitate trade among Latin American countries themselves.

Sao Francisco River Integration Project

Sao Francisco River Integration Project

With an aim of pumping water in all arid areas of Brazil, the integration project on Sao Francisco River, one of Brazil’s longest river, is a marvel for infrastructure lovers. It is already described as the largest water infrastructure project undertaken by the Brazilian government. “The project consists of a system of open air concrete canals that will take the waters of São Francisco river – whose course will not be deviated – to big dams already existing in the semiarid area”- (Basilio)

This project will benefit more than 12 million people. The main uses of this project are 70% for irrigation, 25% for industrial use and 5% for domestic use. 

Morar Carioca Sustainable Community Program

Morar Carioca Sustainable Community Program

One of the largest infrastructure project in Brazil to upgrade slums of Rio de Janeiro, the Morar Carioca Sustainable Community Program will definitely lift Brazil’s candidacy for a superpower status. Surveys prove that more than 20% of the city’s population live in slums. “The majority of these lack adequate sanitation or building standards, leading to water pollution, soil degradation, methane emissions from waste, as well as a host of other social, health and safety issues for residents.”(C40) And it is the function of this program to eliminate these problems.

This project will help more than 200,000 residents of Rio de Janeiro. There is also a special focus on eco-solutions and reducing carbon print. The main aim of this project is also on sustainable development. 

Kazan Smart City

Kazan Smart City

A massive urban infrastructure, similar to Modi’s Smart City mission is India, the Kazan Smart City will greatly expand roads in education, healthcare, technology, business and tourism. Located in Kazan, it will boost Russia’ status of a nation, welcoming to foreign investment and creating special economic zones. The aim of this project is to build smart, socially attractive modern city that will stimulate the economic development of the entire region of Tatarstan. Kazan is Russia’s 8^th biggest city and is a new site for IT firms and BPO businesses.

The site is said to be spread over 650 acres. It is well accessible by the international airport near it. “The first stage of building out the infrastructure and accommodation should be completed by 2015, and a total of $10bn will be INVESTED by 2020 to complete the city, if everything goes according to plan. There are three main areas: an education complex, a business complex at the heart of the city, and the high-tech park in the southern part of the city. And 16 plots have already been taken.” (Bne)

Narmada Canal Solar Project

Narmada Canal Solar Project

Utilizing the 19,000 km network of Narmada canals across Gujarat for generating solar power, the Narmada Canal Solar Project launched in 2012, is said to be one-of-a-kind project in India. It was commissioned within just 1,000 days of its inauguration. It will generate 1.6 million units of electricity per year. The following are the advantages proclaimed by the government:

·         The panels are built over the canal to ensure that around 9 million litres of water does not evaporate.

·         According to the government the entire length of SSNL canal network in Gujarat is around 19,000 km and even if 10 per cent of it is used for this type of projects it could generate 2,400 MW of clean energy annually.

·         The project will eliminate the need of 11,000 acres of land required for a solar project of this magnitude and save 2 billion litres of water annually.

·         It has the potential to bring down per unit cost of clean energy from solar panels to between RS 8 to RS 8.50 in future.

This is a great initiative for India. It’s a prime example of an infrastructural project which focuses on eco-friendliness. 

Interceptor Sewer System

Interceptor Sewer System

The Interceptor Sewer System, aiming to intercept or connect three of Delhi’s posh areas’ drains Najafgarh, Shahdara and Supplementary, is expected to reduce pollution levels on river Yamuna drastically in Delhi. It is expected to reduce 40 parts per million (ppm) at present to about 12 ppm in water.

Only treated effluent will be processed here; untreated effluent will be processed at the main Sewage Treatment Plant. It is believed to help more than 70% of Delhi’s population and the tourism industry in Delhi. 

Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant

Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant

A coal powered plant, the Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant, built by Tata Power is expected to provide 4000MW in total. The coal is imported from Indonesia and the water from the Gulf of Kutch. This is seen as a great initiative to increase private participation in the sector. It is expected to provide power to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra in western India and Haryana and Punjab in northern India. It is expected to cater to the needs of more than 15 million citizens. It also helps to increase competitiveness among the manufacturing & services industries in these regions. The technology used for this plant is said to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and saves fuel from conventional sources of energy.

This project also will create 800 jobs and increase India’s power generation capacity by 2%. It is said to be an efficient project as it was completed well in time. “The plant is more efficient than any other subcritical power plant in India, and will avoid discharging 3.2 million tons of CO2 emissions every year, which otherwise would be produced when using conventional sub-critical technology. This is the first time that 800 MW supercritical technology has been successfully implemented in India.” (Ifc)

Delhi Metro

Delhi Metro

After long demands of solving traffic & infrastructural problems, a rapid transit system has been placed in Delhi, the “Delhi Metro”. There is no need to explain why the capital needs a metro: increasing population, traffic, pollution etc. Only the Delhi Metro could solve such problems and save residents’ time, energy, and resources. There is also the added advantage of convenience, an individual can reach time on time without delay.

But there are might be some disadvantages: noise coming from the train itself and from the crowd; overcrowding – There are lots of people who ride the subway, and if you are claustrophobic, riding the metro is not definitely for you and rise in crime – sometimes mugging and physical assaults when riding the metro above and below ground is rampant in a lot of areas which makes it scary. (Thetransportationgazette)

Also, it gives the much-needed up gradation of the city of Delhi from a modest, historical, cultural town to a modernized, stylish metropolis, catering to the youth population. This rail system can reimage “Delhi Brand”. 

Yamuna Expressway

Yamuna Expressway

A 165m long, 6-lane expressway connecting two important cities of India, Noida and Agra, the Yamuna Expressway is proving to be indispensable in its function. It is actually one of the quickest project to be completed in India (two years before its target).

Its greatest advantage is its reduction of time of travel to 90-120 minutes. It has increased accessibility to the capital of the country, Delhi. It has led to a residential boom with an estimate of more than 20,000 plots to be constructed.  It also has led to development of underlying areas there. It also benefits the tourism industry, with an increase in frequency of visits to the Taj Mahal. (Not to forget the fact of Jaypee Raceway Course) “Substantial investments have been planned for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational developments on the vast tracts of land on either sides of the Expressway, some of which are already under way, which should catapult the region into the next pedestal of development and growth.” (Yamunaeay)

Other benefits include decongestion, reduction in traffic and pollution, integration with national security systems, facilities along the expressway etc. 

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

One of the smart city, proposed by PM Narendra Modi, under construction, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City can challenge Mumbai as the country’s premier financial centre when finished. Aimed to provide high quality facilities such as water & sanitation, power, roads, telecommunications etc., it will also have a special economic centre (SEZ), information centre, entertainment centre and a knowledge capital. There are financial incentives given to businesses starting operations here such as exemption of sales, customs, purchase, excise taxes etc.

There are other advantages: this city would not be so integrated with other global economic capitals of other countries; so it cannot be affected by financial crunches. It can provide more than 500,000 jobs and occupies an area of 5.76 million sq. m. Thus, it can also create a real estate boom.  “Given its emphasis on technology, zoning and environment-friendly construction, GIFT can also serve as the prototype on which the promised smart cities of the future can be modelled.” (The Hindu)

For the common man, it can create jobs in various sectors especially in finance. It will open many major administrative reforms and will be the first “Smart City” in India