PIB Backgrounder Infrastructure at the Core of India’s Development Posted On: 09 JUN 2026 4:41PM by PIB Delhi | Over the past decade, India accelerated infrastructure creation across transport, housing, water, energy, logistics, and digital networks. Large-scale investments improved mobility, strengthened service delivery, widened digital access, and supported economic activity across regions. Integrated planning initiatives like PRAGATI, PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Sagarmala, PM-WANI, Jal Jeevan Mission and UDAN have shaped the vision of a connected and competitive India. These initiatives have improved competitiveness and supported India’s transition towards a modern and integrated economy. | Infrastructure as an Instrument for Nation Building Infrastructure today shapes everyday life and daily experiences across the country. Roads, railways, airports, digital networks, housing, water supply, and clean energy systems have expanded access to essential services. These systems also influenced how people travel, connect digitally, and participate in economic activity. After 2014, infrastructure development has increasingly focused on scale, integration, and long-term capacity creation. A major shift during this period was the integration of infrastructure planning, as opposed to the earlier practice of fragmented project execution. Public capital expenditure increased from about ₹2 lakh crore in FY2014–15 to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY2026–27. This reflects sustained focus on long- term infrastructure creation across sectors. Major programmes such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, PM GatiShakti, PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana, and UDAN expanded infrastructure access. These initiatives linked infrastructure growth with household welfare, economic opportunity, and regional development. Mobility and Connectivity Transportation networks serve as the backbone of economic integration. From highways and railways to airports, waterways, and urban transit systems, investments across multiple modes of transport have strengthened connectivity. Together, these networks are creating a more seamless and integrated mobility ecosystem. Railways Indian Railways infrastructure has undergone a large-scale transformation since 2014, enhancing capacity,