Infrastructure In India Research Articles

Enabling Bond Market Finance for Infrastructure Projects in India: The Problem of Credit Ratings

In India, public–private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects are mainly financed by commercial bank debt, and bond markets have had only limited participation in financing infrastructure. One of the factors that has constrained infrastructure projects from accessing bond markets has been their low-investment-grade credit ratings. Infrastructure projects are considered risky by rating agencies, and their low-investment-grade (BBB) rating levels do not attract bond market investments. However, the rationale for higher risk grades for infrastructure PPP projects is not clear. This article reviews research on financing infrastructure in India, analyzes rating transition studies over five years, and summarizes findings from an analysis of actual defaults for 134 infrastructure PPP projects in India. The findings indicate that infrastructure PPP projects exhibit lower rates of default than those expected from the credit ratings given to the infrastructure project debt. The use of external credit ratings by investors and financial sector regulators is constraining debt investments in infrastructure specifically from bond markets and long-term sources.

Trend and Growth Pattern of Road Infrastructure in India in General and Karnataka in Particular

Trend and Growth Pattern of Road Infrastructure in India in General and Karnataka in Particular

Association between Public Health Care Access and Financing of Health Infrastructure in India

Health financing is presumed to have an immense importance in designing the delivery mechanism in health care service. Financing in public health care institutions (comprising local, state and central governments, along with autonomous public sector bodies) is not observed to be adequate in India as compared to the global standard. As a result, the participation of private health care institutions in this health care domain is urgently called for to address the gap between demand for and supply of health care services. Health financing by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the government initiatives in the form of public–private partnership (PPP) signifies an alternative delivery mechanism in meeting the demand of such services. An attempt has been made in the study to examine the interstate variation of public health care access in India by considering a comprehensive index on public health care access. In addition, the study sheds some lights on the association between the outreach of health care access and the financing of the health care infrastructure in the context of different states of India. Empirical evidence suggested that the more health care financing by the government, the greater the outreach of the public health care services of a state. Thus, a significant contribution in health financing would facilitate the access of public health care by addressing the supply-side problems of the outreach of health care services in the Indian economy.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON BLACK COTTON SOIL STABILIZED USING SOILTECH MK III POLYMER

Road infrastructure in India is developing at a very fast rate. A good pavement provides safe, comfortable and economical movement of traffic. The road thickness depends on various geotechnical properties of subgrade soil and traffic intensity. The pavement construction is becoming costlier because of very high cost of construction materials and transportation cost of such materials from long distances. The growing concern over environmental degradation due to borrowing of large quantity of soil and aggregates for construction of pavement has made the search for new techniques of stabilization. The subgrade soil should have high Maximum dry density (MDD) and low Optimum moisture content (OMC) so that it can take up the load of the overlying layers and the traffic. The high MDD and corresponding OMC can be achieved by stabilizing the soil using suitable stabilizer. In the present work the effect of using Nano Polymer called SoilTech MK III as a stabilizer to improve the properties of Black Cotton soil collected from Ranibennur region, Karnataka, India were determined. The laboratory experiments were conducted on the samples of BC soil and BC soil with stabilizer for Compaction test, UCS (Unconfined Compression Strength) and CBR (California Bearing Ratio) tests. Various samples were prepared by taking soil with different percentage of SoilTech MK III Polymer (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0%). The comparison of the results with and without the use of SoilTech MK III has been done. All test were conducted as per IS 2720 standards.

Problems and prospects of occupational health infrastructure in India

The organised sector of the Indian economy has witnessed tremendous economic growth and enhanced employability in the past three decades. This growth has raised concerns over occupational health and safety in the manufacturing sector, including tertiary and quaternary services. The authors critically review the need for initiating, developing, and implementing knowledge- and practice-based inputs for a well systematised occupational health policy in the organised sector. They propose the systematic expansion of occupational health and safety measures, along with improved policy and labour law reforms, to achieve universal health status of industrial workers. In addition, the authors argue, there is an immediate need for health impact assessment and public health surveillance of organised-sector workers. Towards this end, an epidemiological database needs to be created and occupational health-related diseases and illnesses monitored. In its latter section, the paper highlights the need for strong political will to drive reforms in occupational health policy, and implement such a policy to promote and safeguard the occupational health of industrial workers.

Accelerating Public Private Partnership in Agricultural Storage Infrastructure in India

Agriculture occupies a prominent position in Indian economy, not only because it accounts for 17 per cent of India's gross domestic product (GDP) but also engages more than 50 per cent of the country's workforce. However, Indian Agriculture is confronting the major challenges with respect to ever growing population to feed, reducing natural resources, increasing global competitiveness, deficiency of scientific storage facilities, and above all, uncertainties of the monsoon and changing climate. The small farmers do not have the financial strength to hold the produce with them and are unable to get better off season prices of their agricultural produce. The government buys food grains from the farmers but likewise does not have the space to store it. Every year tonnes of food grains go waste because of inadequate storage and infrastructure facilities. Due to inadequate infrastructure facilities Post-harvest losses accounts an average 10 to 25 per cent, being particularly high in horticulture, livestock and fisheries. Large investments are required in developing agricultural markets, quality certification, warehouses, and cold storages. Such large investments are possible only with the participation of the private sector. Public-private partnerships are a key mechanism to develop and deliver a reliable stream of technology in the face of changing demands. Collaborative partnerships can effectively bridge the gap between public and private sector's distinctive competencies in order to meet farmer's needs. The objective of this paper is to summarize the issues and challenges facing the agricultural warehousing, to find out the gaps in Storages/Warehouses in India and attempt to find possible solutions to bridge this gap. The study is based on secondary data taken from different sources.

Shigellosis: Epidemiology in India

Shigellosis is one of the major causes of diarrhoea in India. The accurate estimates of morbidity and mortality due to shigellosis are lacking, though it is endemic in the country and has been reported to cause many outbreaks. The limited information available indicates Shigella to be an important food-borne pathogen in India. S. flexneri is the most common species, S. sonnei and non-agglutinable shigellae seem to be steadily surfacing, while S. dysenteriae has temporarily disappeared from the northern and eastern regions. Antibiotic-resistant strains of different Shigella species and serotypes have emerged all over the world. Especially important is the global emergence of multidrug resistant shigellae, notably the increasing resistance to third generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, and also azithromycin. This calls for a continuous and strong surveillance of antibiotic resistance across the country for periodic updation of the local antibiograms. The prevention of shigellosis is desirable as it will substantially reduce the morbidity associated with diarrhoea in the country. Public health measures like provision of safe water and adequate sanitation are of immense importance to reduce the burden of shigellosis, however, the provision of resources to develop such an infrastructure in India is a complex issue and will take time to resolve. Thus, the scientific thrust should be focused towards development of a safe and affordable multivalent vaccine. This review is focused upon the epidemiology, disease burden and the therapeutic challenges of shigellosis in Indian perspective.

Growth Drivers of Dairy Production in India: An Appraisal

The study analysed the state-wise share to total milk output, growth trends in yield growth, output instability, sources of milk growth, as well as the progress of dairy infrastructure in India. The results indicated that the northern region contributed largest share to total milk output in India while the share in the eastern region plunged during the study. The first period (1980–1995) registered the highest growth rates in milk output however growth drastically declined in the second period (1996–03) before again improving in the third period (2004–13). India registered relatively stable milk output in the last two decades. The regional instability indices hovered around 6.12 to 20.6 per cent. The species-wise contribution to total milk output revealed a significant shift from indigenous cattle milk towards crossbred cattle milk. However, buffalo milk output contributed the largest share to total milk output in India. The results of decomposition analysis further revealed that growth in milk output was primarily driven by yield improvement however, the progress of dairy infrastructure in the country was found grossly inadequate. Therefore to fully exploit the productivity potential of the milk yielders, continued investment in dairy infrastructure and replacement of indigenous cattle with crossbred must be pursued cross all the states of India.

Agricultural Growth and Regional Disparity in India: A Convergence Analysis

The deceleration in growth trends in agricultural output and yield rate is a matter of great concern in recent years in India. This study makes an attempt to examine the growth performances of agricultural production and productivity of major States of India and the nature and extent of disparity in the performances of agriculture. The growth performances have been analyzed considering three distinct phases of agricultural development in India viz the first phase of green revolution 1970-71 to 1979-80, second phase of green revolution 1980-81 to 1990-91, and the period after economic reform 1991-92 to 2007-08). The agricultural infrastructural index, constructed using Principle Component Analysis, reveals the prevalence of a wide inter-state variation in agricultural infrastructure in India. Moreover, using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) under the panel data framework, the study attempts to examine the trends of convergence/divergence of per capita value of agricultural output over the period 1970-71 to 2007-08. The results of conditional convergence establish the argument that variations in the provision of agricultural infrastructure and natural factor like rainfall play the divergent role in accruing benefits from agriculture in India. The skewed distribution of public and private investment in favor of agriculturally developed states has been found to be responsible for enhancing the disparity in agricultural infrastructure and thus, to the per capita net state domestic product across states in India. Sri Lankan Journal of Agricultural Economics Vol. (16) No. 1 (2014) pp. 61-77

Status of market infrastructure in India- A view of Karnataka

Status of market infrastructure in India- A view of Karnataka

PEDESTRIAN RESPONSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE FOR MEDIUM SIZE CITY IN INDIA

Level of vehicular noise pollution is one of the major factors to choose pedestrian mode of transportation among other modes of transportation. Transportation systems and their related outcomes are responsible for ensuring safe travel options, including walking people of all ages and different abilities. This study will provide an opportunity to quantify the environmental impact in terms of noise level for future development and planning of pedestrian infrastructure in India. It will also help in modal shifting towards walking, improvements in energy efficiency, and the impact of specific contaminants on health. Exposure of high noise level can cause annoyance and severe stress on auditory and nervous system of pedestrians. Most of the Indian cities have noise level above than acceptable limits because of rapid urbanization with increasing number of vehicular traffic. The objective of this study is to study response of pedestrians towards noise pollution in Roorkee at different locations based on different land use. Roorkee is a medium size city with a population of 2.73 lakhs (Roorkee Metropolitan areas, 2011 census), situated in Uttarakhand, India. It is a city with large number of educational institutions and sizable numbers of student population. Noise level study has been carried out at ten locations on NH-58 near Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Noise data was collected at an interval of 30 seconds. Design implications for future improvement of pedestrian infrastructure have been presented in this paper considering traffic noise as an environmental factor. It is expected that the study outcome shall be useful in understanding positive effect of low traffic noise encouraging increased usage of pedestrian facilities within urban transport network.

Public Private Partnership in India: Prevailing Challenges and Way Forward

Over the last two decades, public private partnership (PPP) has become a preferred mode of delivery of infrastructure and related services in India. As a mode of delivery, PPP is expected to bring efficiency and effectiveness in development of infrastructure, private funds to meet the financing needs, and induce demand side corrections in most of the cases. This article identifies the prevailing challenges for PPP as a mode of delivery of infrastructure in India and suggests measures which need to be taken to ensure PPP as a mode of delivery remains a boon for the infrastructure sector in India.

FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER REINFORCEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION- STATE OF THE ART REVIEW

Development of civil engineering is intimately connected to innovation in structural material. To full fill the requirement of advance infrastructure in India, modern technologies and innovative materials has started to makes its way. Structures with bar corrosion and other distresses requires repair, rehabilitation and retrofits for increase strength, durability and much more life span. Fiber reinforce plastic (FRP) reinforcements provides solution for such work due to its non-corrosive and non-magnetic nature also high strength and low weight ratio. Now a day FRP materials are used for internal reinforcement for RC structures worldwide.

Renewable Energy Potential for Green Networks

The telecom industry in India traditionally use grid power as the primary source and diesel generators as the secondary source, or as backup to grid power. The average load at a telecom site usually varies from 0.75 kW to 20 kW. Green Network Initiative may be a comprehensive energy-efficiency and alternate-energy program covering high impact initiatives, which are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint through lower and optimized diesel usage. These initiatives broadly comprise Alternate energy sources, Energy efficiency measures, Demand side management. Passive telecom infrastructure in India is dependent on diesel generators as the primary source of backup power, due to (a) poor grid supply, (b) no grid connectivity in rural areas and (c) low quality grid power. Recent developments in renewable energies might overthrow the diesel generator as the technology of choice for off-grid mobile base stations. Renewable energy has evolved considerably over the last couple of years so much. In this research article we explored the potential of impacts to tilt the balance in favor of telecom towers powered by renewable energy. SWOT Analysis were carried to predict the potentials of renewable in establishing the Green Networks in Indian scenario. The several parameters were taken into account for giving the final verdict for implementing the concept. Although the work was done on the secondary data (i.e. collected from different reports, online sources and surveys) to inspect the applicability of Green Networks concept in Indian context, but the method still needs to be refined with in situ data for the upcoming studies.

Energy infrastructure in India: Profile and risks under climate change

India has committed large investments to energy infrastructure assets-power plants, refineries, energy ports, pipelines, roads, railways, etc. The coastal infrastructure being developed to meet the rising energy imports is vulnerable to climate extremes. This paper provides an overview of climate risks to energy infrastructures in India and details two case studies – a crude oil importing port and a western coast railway transporting coal. The climate vulnerability of the port has been mapped using an index while that of the railway has been done through a damage function for RCP 4.5.0 and 8.5 scenarios. Our analysis shows that risk management through adaptation is likely to be very expensive. The system risks can be even greater and might adversely affect energy security and access objectives. Aligning sustainable development and climate adaptation measures can deliver substantial co-benefits. The key policy recommendations include: i) mandatory vulnerability assessment to future climate risks for energy infrastructures; ii) project and systemic risks in the vulnerability index; iii) adaptation funds for unmitigated climate risks; iv) continuous monitoring of climatic parameters and implementation of adaptation measures, and iv) sustainability actions along energy infrastructures that enhance climate resilience and simultaneously deliver co-benefits to local agents.

Health care infrastructure amenities – an empirical examination of Indian perspective

Purpose – Health is an important issue in our life. A person with good health will have peace of mind and will be able to contribute to nation-building. We cannot expect performance from an ill person with a low morale. In the present paper, the authors tried to understand the ground realities of health-care facilities provided in India and more specifically in Odisha, India. Design/methodology/approach – This empirical paper used a non-experimental design to test a proposed model based on a review of relevant literature. In this paper, an initial pilot study was conducted by taking 44 various variables; however, after the study and taking the expert opinion, the variables were restricted to only 30. For the purpose of study, only state-sponsored hospitals were considered on a random sampling method. Findings – The analysis of data is conducted on a simple percentage method with closed-end options. It is found that even after 67 years of independence, people do not have access to basic medical care facilities in the rural areas and to some extent in semi-urban areas also. The major stumbling block is inadequate infrastructure in these hospitals. Research limitations/implications – While this study offers some insight into the status of healthcare infrastructure in rural India, the sample was limited to respondents in state-sponsored hospitals, which may not represent the views about private hospitals. Practical implications – It seems that in some interior areas of Odisha, people rely more on their fate than then these health-care services. Social implications – Various governments claim that they are spending millions of rupees on health-care service, but the benefits are not being felt by the masses. We are sure that our attempt to highlight the scenario of health-care services in the state of Odisha will be an eye opener and will compel the various stake holders to introspect their involvement in the health-care services provided in these areas. Originality/value – A considerable amount of research has been done evaluating the status of healthcare in India, but this is the first empirical research study to date based on respondents from the rural parts of the state of Odisha in India. Some of these areas are not reachable to researchers due to the poor infrastructure. This contribution is also of special importance amid the recent criticism of the healthcare infrastructure in India by prominent management scholars.

Educational Paradigm Shift: Are We Ready to Adopt MOOC?

This paper summarizes the findings from an empirical study carry out the online learning. The impact of information technology in our day-to-day life has been profound. Among many cross disciplines that have been enriched (or benefited) by information technology, educational media is not an exception. MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses brings learning, teaching and assessment. MOOC is a Web-based distance-learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students. In addition, Google and other companies are involving to design and fund to low-cost eLearning. Niche market provides nine certification courses via MOOC, to satisfy the employees specific needs. However, in the present day context the opinion on embracing MOOC by an University has been quite debatable. Addressing this debate on both sides, this papers presents the opinion expressed by the stakeholders in education towards embracing MOOC. Based on the findings from the study, the paper will discuss the challenge and broad concerns applicable to eLearning. The survey is focused on providing a consolidated fact that based on penetration of eLearning. This paper is aimed at providing a solid analysis of eLearning with the help of IT infrastructure in India. The survey contains demographic distribution of faculties; student and system administrator ratio is 39.6. Among a total of 792 of 2000 participants. It is focused that eLearning strategy in India.

Renewable Energy Investment in Emerging Markets: Evaluating Improvements to the Clean Development Mechanism

In the past, industrialized countries have invested in or financed numerous renewable energy projects in developing countries, primarily through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. However, critics have pointed to its bureaucratic structure, problems with additionality and distorted credit prices as ill-equipped to streamline renewable energy investment. In this paper, we simulate the impact of policy on investment decisions on whether or not to invest in wind energy infrastructure in India, Brazil and China. Data from 2,578 past projects as well as literature on investor behaviour is used to inform the model structure and parameters. Our results show that the CDM acts differently in each country and reveal that while streamlining the approval process and reconsidering additionality can lead to non-trivial increase in total investment, stabilizing policy and decreasing investment risk will do the most to spur investment.

Mass Vaccination with a New, Less Expensive Oral Cholera Vaccine Using Public Health Infrastructure in India: The Odisha Model

IntroductionThe substantial morbidity and mortality associated with recent cholera outbreaks in Haiti and Zimbabwe, as well as with cholera endemicity in countries throughout Asia and Africa, make a compelling case for supplementary cholera control measures in addition to existing interventions. Clinical trials conducted in Kolkata, India, have led to World Health Organization (WHO)-prequalification of Shanchol, an oral cholera vaccine (OCV) with a demonstrated 65% efficacy at 5 years post-vaccination. However, before this vaccine is widely used in endemic areas or in areas at risk of outbreaks, as recommended by the WHO, policymakers will require empirical evidence on its implementation and delivery costs in public health programs. The objective of the present report is to describe the organization, vaccine coverage, and delivery costs of mass vaccination with a new, less expensive OCV (Shanchol) using existing public health infrastructure in Odisha, India, as a model.MethodsAll healthy, non-pregnant residents aged 1 year and above residing in selected villages of the Satyabadi block (Puri district, Odisha, India) were invited to participate in a mass vaccination campaign using two doses of OCV. Prior to the campaign, a de jure census, micro-planning for vaccination and social mobilization activities were implemented. Vaccine coverage for each dose was ascertained as a percentage of the censused population. The direct vaccine delivery costs were estimated by reviewing project expenditure records and by interviewing key personnel.ResultsThe mass vaccination was conducted during May and June, 2011, in two phases. In each phase, two vaccine doses were given 14 days apart. Sixty-two vaccination booths, staffed by 395 health workers/volunteers, were established in the community. For the censused population, 31,552 persons (61% of the target population) received the first dose and 23,751 (46%) of these completed their second dose, with a drop-out rate of 25% between the two doses. Higher coverage was observed among females and among 6–17 year-olds. Vaccine cost at market price (about US$1.85/dose) was the costliest item. The vaccine delivery cost was $0.49 per dose or $1.13 per fully vaccinated person.DiscussionThis is the first undertaken project to collect empirical evidence on the use of Shanchol within a mass vaccination campaign using existing public health program resources. Our findings suggest that mass vaccination is feasible but requires detailed micro-planning. The vaccine and delivery cost is affordable for resource poor countries. Given that the vaccine is now WHO pre-qualified, evidence from this study should encourage oral cholera vaccine use in countries where cholera remains a public health problem.

Financial Problems of Developing Urban Infrastructure In India – Review and Suggestions

Growing organization is national issue. It is continuous process which will bring benefits as well as problems. Urban areas are considered as major source of contribution to economic growth. There are various reasons of urbanization but the problems like financial, infrastructural, administrative, social services and shortages in civic services are same. These problems will grow by growing urbanization. The available infrastructure in urban areas is inadequate considering the size of population and pressure of urbanization. Central Government has already started various schemes for development in urban infrastructure. It includes Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) City Development Plan (CDP) Municipal Corporation Bonds (MCM) Pool Finance Scheme and encouragement to Public Private Partnership. The infrastructure like roads, flyovers sanitation management system, burials, parking lots, gardens, prayers halls and social overhead infrastructure is essential for civic services. The inadequate infrastructure is creating social and developmental problems. There is ample scope to develop the urban infrastructure. It can build and developed through public private partnership as well as raising the finance through capital market. The sources like issuing Municipal Bonds and schemes like JNNURM are having its own limitations. Various government and non government agencies estimated the huge requirement of finance for urban infrastructure. The funding gap can be filled by using the source of capital market. Since the issue is related to national level it must be dealt at national level. The urban local bodies must financially strong. The building of infrastructure is necessary to avoid health related problems as well as to protect the environment.