Report of Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline released

January 1, 2020

On December 31, 2019, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released a report of task force on National Infrastructure on Pipeline (NIP) 2019-2025. The task force was set up in order to draw up National Infrastructure Pipeline from fiscal year 2019-20 to 2024-25.

Highlights of the report

The report says that between 2020 and 2025 GoI has planned investment in infrastructure sectors such as roads, railways, urban, energy. These sectors account to 70% of infrastructure investments planned. The plan is to invest 102 lakh crores of rupees by 2025 and make India a 5 trillion-dollar economy.

Highlights: Energy

According to the report, the total capacity of Indian Energy Sector is 356 GW. Out of this, thermal constitutes 66%, renewable energy constitutes 22%, hydro sector constitutes 13% and nuclear around 2%. The vision set for 2025 is raise the total capacity of power to 619 GW of energy by decreasing thermal energy to 50%, increasing renewable to 39%, hydro to 9% and maintaining nuclear energy at the same level.

Highlights: Transport sector

Railways

The current freight traffic of Indian Railways is at 33%. The report says that GoI has planned to increase the private sector participation in freight traffic. GoI will add 30% of net cargo by 2025 and will increase private trains to 500.

Port

There are around 12 major ports in India. The total capacity of the ports is 2 billion tons. According to the report, the capacity of the ports are to be increased to 2.5 billion tons.

Airport

Today, India ranks 3^rd in aviation sector. The aim is to improve India to 2^nd position.

Highlights: Agriculture

In India, currently, the Food Corporation of India has installed 7.25 lakh metric tons of silos. According to the report, the storage capacity is to be increased to 100 lakh MT.

Irrigation

The area under irrigation in India is 68 million hectares. This is to be increased to 85 million hectares by 2025. The micro irrigation that covers 15% of irrigated area is to be increased to 28%. Also, pricing methods based on water-quality are to be adopted.

Highlights: Digital Infrastructure

India ranks second in terms of mobile phones with 119 crore mobile subscribers. The aim is to make India rank one in the sector. Currently, internet penetration in the sector is 40% and the aim is to increase this to 80%.

Highlights: Urban sector

Around 25% of urban household have drinking water in their premises in the country. This is to be increased to 100%. India ranks 120^th in water quality index and 70% of water in the country is contaminated. Advanced techniques are to be used to maintain water quality.