Gujarat Bridge Collapse: Fragility of Public Infrastructure in India

General Studies Paper-3

Context

The recent collapse of the Mujpur-Gambhira bridge over Gujarat’s Mahisagar (Mahi) river has once again exposed the alarming fragility of public infrastructure of India.

About India’s Public Infrastructure

• India’s public infrastructure — like national highways & expressways, economic corridors, bridges, drainage systems, urban utilities, telecom, and infrastructures related to ports & shipping etc — is recognized as the foundation of economic growth, social equity, and national resilience.
• Over the past decade, sectors like transport, energy, housing and digital connectivity have gained momentum.
• According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), 431 infrastructure projects faced cost overruns totaling ₹4.82 lakh crore as of December 2023.
• Delays range from 1 month to over 5 years, with 36% of projects running 25–60 months behind schedule.

Reasons For Fragality of India’s Public Infrastructure

• Chronic Underfunding & Investment Gaps: India needs ₹70 lakh crore by 2036 to meet urban infrastructure demands.
  • qMunicipal finances remain stagnant at 1% of GDP, limiting local capacity to maintain infrastructure.
• Overreliance on Public Sector Funding: Public sector contributes 78% of infrastructure investment; private participation remains low due to long payback periods and high risk.
• Fragmented Governance: Multiple agencies (e.g., DDA, PWD, MCD) operate in silos, especially in metros like Delhi and Mumbai.
  • Lack of coordination leads to blame games and reactive maintenance, rather than proactive planning.
• Poor Planning & Execution: Projects often lack comprehensive feasibility studies, resulting in flawed designs—like underpasses that flood every monsoon.
  • Urban infrastructure is frequently built on natural drainage basins, worsening flood risks.
  • Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are outsourced with inconsistent quality and data accuracy.
• Regulatory & Legal Bottlenecks: Land acquisition delays, outdated building codes, and weak enforcement of safety norms slow down projects.
  • Dispute resolution and arbitration mechanisms are inadequate, leading to prolonged litigation.
• Skill & Capacity Deficits: Local bodies lack trained personnel and modern project management tools.
  • Short-term training programs are being considered, but systemic reform is needed.
• Climate & Disaster Vulnerability: CBRE-CII Report (2024) revealed that 50% of India’s public infrastructure is unprepared for natural or man-made disasters. Key risks include:
  • Floods, heatwaves, and cyclones;
  • Industrial accidents and cyberattacks;
  • Public health crises;

Proposed Reform

• Structural & Governance Reforms: Treat urban infrastructure as core national infrastructure to unlock long-term capital.
  • Create unified, tech-enabled urban governance bodies for integrated planning.
  • Strengthen State Finance Commissions to empower municipal autonomy.
• Financing Innovations: Develop a municipal bond market and pooled finance mechanisms.
  • Decouple project preparation from financial assistance to ensure sustainability.
  • Leverage Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for efficient service delivery.
• Spatial & Industrial Integration: Synchronize urban expansion with industrial corridors to reduce inefficiencies.
  • Capture land value in transport projects, especially metro rail.
• Sustainability & Climate Resilience: Integrate climate adaptation into infrastructure planning.
  • Promote circular economy models in sanitation and waste management.