Contractors are working overtime to ensure politicians can inaugurate projects before code of conduct comes into force
Work sites across the country are buzzing with activity, particularly those projects that were undertaken by the Central Government agencies and State public works departments. From flyovers to metro projects and even small electricity sub-stations, work is continuing at a frenetic pace. With elections to the 17th Lok Sabha set to be announced by this weekend, politicians across the country are on an inauguration spree. And when there are no projects to inaugurate, they are laying foundation stones for future projects that will invariably be finished before the next major election.
It seems bizarre that construction activity for Government projects, that sometimes continues at a glacial pace for years, suddenly starts speeding up before the polls. Fund allocation for even small neighbourhood projects that get stalled or caught in a web of corruption miraculously appear out of nowhere. Maybe India would have far better infrastructure if elections happened on a biennial basis what with our politicians being in perpetual campaign mode. However, in the rush for building projects, the public should be wary that large amounts of spending on white elephants, expensive but pointless projects, are avoided. But unfortunately, these often go through with few questions asked right now. At the same time, huge sums of money are being spent on advertising the highlights of these projects; the sums being spent could easily fund many more useful infrastructure projects.
India has a massive infrastructure deficit and despite huge progress over the past few years in improving rural and urban infrastructure, much more needs to be done. The rush of inaugurations and foundations is welcome because it will take decades for India to catch up even with China when it comes to infrastructure-building. However, as pleased as our politicians might be with these projects, they should realise that these are not enough if they want to improve the lives of millions of Indians who are either below or straddling the poverty line. And while development works should be celebrated, let us not forget whose money goes into those advertisements — the Indian taxpayer, paying both direct and indirect taxes. And they do deserve a bit better.