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

Maglev Train System and its success

Etihad Railway

Built & operated by one of the world’s most luxurious airlines, the Etihad Railway is one of the great initiatives to look out for this year. Its extensive network while cover 5 GCC countries at present, adds many benefits to the region where construction & implementation of infrastructure projects is at an all-time high.

There are numerous advantages brought about by Etihad Rail. The economic benefits by Etihad Rail include freight cost savings, business travel time savings, along with other economic remunerations. Businesses and MNCs, known for “finding the needle in the haystack”, are always looking for regions to invest in. They would be very delighted by these economic benefits. They would also be brought together to work closely by this initiative: more trade in bulk volume. Not to forget is the project’s worth in supplementing UAE economy by contributing to the tourism industry.

Research has shown that the economic benefits will bring are shared across all seven Emirates. It will bring in much needed foreign investment. It will also provide employment by creating thousands of jobs. It will provide transportation facilities by both freight and passenger. Its most important advantages of this rail are environmental-friendly transit, reduced use of highways and decrease in pollutant emission.

“Studies show that trains are one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport. Based on forecasted traffic volumes, the Etihad Rail network will reduce greenhouse gases by more than 2.2 million tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing 375,000 vehicles off the roads or planting 52 million trees. One fully loaded train produces 70-80% less CO2 emissions than the equivalent trucks required”

-Etihadrail.ae

Etihad Railway

Etihad Railway

Built & operated by one of the world’s most luxurious airlines, the Etihad Railway is one of the great initiatives to look out for this year. Its extensive network while cover 5 GCC countries at present, adds many benefits to the region where construction & implementation of infrastructure projects is at an all-time high.

There are numerous advantages brought about by Etihad Rail. The economic benefits by Etihad Rail include freight cost savings, business travel time savings, along with other economic remunerations. Businesses and MNCs, known for “finding the needle in the haystack”, are always looking for regions to invest in. They would be very delighted by these economic benefits. They would also be brought together to work closely by this initiative: more trade in bulk volume. Not to forget is the project’s worth in supplementing UAE economy by contributing to the tourism industry.

Research has shown that the economic benefits will bring are shared across all seven Emirates. It will bring in much needed foreign investment. It will also provide employment by creating thousands of jobs. It will provide transportation facilities by both freight and passenger. Its most important advantages of this rail are environmental-friendly transit, reduced use of highways and decrease in pollutant emission.

“Studies show that trains are one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport. Based on forecasted traffic volumes, the Etihad Rail network will reduce greenhouse gases by more than 2.2 million tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing 375,000 vehicles off the roads or planting 52 million trees. One fully loaded train produces 70-80% less CO2 emissions than the equivalent trucks required”

-Etihadrail.ae

California High Speed Rail

California High Speed Rail

A rail transit system, under construction for many years; one of the most controversial infrastructure project ever; a project panned by environmentalists, economists, politicians and voters alike. But, all of them are overlooking the many advantages of this high speed rail system.

Any intra-national project has always a high probability of success; look at the example pf Chinese HSR. An everyday commuter would tell you the difference made by even a medium-speed rail service. Highways and other road construction projects haven’t alleviated California’s congestion problems. The only solution is the California HSR.

It creates millions of jobs, by building the rail infrastructure and rail cars. Pt helps to reduce America’s trade deficit, (set to give $19 billion by new businesses) when it starts operations. It also reduces our oil consumptions, oil reductions and emissions. There might be even implications that it ends “oil wars” and lower US’s dependence on costly military operations. It provides a hassle-free, comfortable and accessible way to travel. During the rush hour, it is said to occupy 20,000 people compared to 8,000 in roads.

Obviously, as seen from above, the advantages overcome its de-merits.

"Dollars spent that get Americans out of cars will ease traffic, save money, reduce pollution, slow global warming, and make us less vulnerable to volatile oil oligarchs."  -Bloomberg

This could be prevented only by implementing this mega infrastructure project.