India, today at $4.2 trillion GDP, is on the threshold of becoming the fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan and expected to overtake Germany to be the third-largest in the next few years. This is underpinned by a significant transformation across various dimensions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 11 years (2014-25). Average growth since 2014 has been 6.4 per cent, accelerating to 7.4 per cent in the latest quarter. This demonstrates resilience and sustained momentum in the Indian economy. Inflation management improved markedly, coming down from 9.4 per cent in 2013-14 to 4.6 per cent today, providing much-needed stability for households and businesses alike.

Infrastructure Expansion

India’s infrastructure development has been one of the most visible symbols of this transformation. National highways expanded from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2024, and construction speed has increased from 12 km/day to 34 km/day. The emphasis on last-mile connectivity has resulted in nearly four lakh km of rural roads being built, bringing 99 per cent of rural India into the national network, supporting rural mobility and economic inclusion.

India’s railway network has seen unprecedented expansion over the past decade. A total of 25,871 route kilometres (RKM) of new tracks were laid, significantly higher than the 14,985 RKM added in the previous decade. India now leads the world in locomotive manufacturing, producing 1,681 locomotives in 2024-25. This is more than the combined output of the US, Europe, and Japan. Freight movement has also surged, with Indian Railways becoming the world’s second-largest cargo transporter, handling 1,617 million tonnes annually.

Notably, railway connectivity has now reached the northeastern states, enhancing regional integration. Its wider reach now enables Indian Railways to serve over 30 million passengers daily — a testament to its scale and efficiency. The ongoing development of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is another transformative step and is expected to significantly boost efficiency in cargo movement and reduce congestion on passenger routes.

Similarly, air travel has seen rapid democratisation. Operational airports have grown from 74 to 160 between 2014 and 2025, with the UDAN scheme bringing air connectivity to remote towns. The government’s vision of expanding to 300 airports by 2047 underlines its continued focus on logistics and accessibility.

Urban Growth and Clean Energy: Towards a Sustainable Future

Urban transformation has continued through the Smart Cities Mission, with over 8,000 projects and investments worth Rs 1.64 lakh crore. Urban transport has also advanced, with the Delhi Metro expanding into one of the largest and most efficient metro systems globally, setting benchmarks for mass rapid transit in the country, which now reaches 15 Indian cities.

India’s clean energy progress is equally commendable. Solar capacity has grown from 2.82 GW in 2014 to over 105.65 GW, with total clean energy capacity now at 228.28 GW. This positions India as the third-largest solar and fourth-largest wind energy producer globally.

Digital Infrastructure and Governance Reforms

One of the major success stories of the past decade has been the exponential growth of India’s public digital infrastructure. Led by platforms like UPI and Aadhaar, this public-first approach has enabled real-time payments, direct transfers, and expanded rural banking through Jan Dhan and digital access points. DPI infrastructure contributed about 1 per cent of GDP and is projected to reach about 3-4 per cent by 2030. As the World Bank has recognised, DPI has accomplished in six years what would typically take decades. India’s DPI has now been adopted in over 12 countries.

This has led to social development as well as significant poverty reduction. Official data shows that 17.1 crore people have been lifted out of poverty during this decade. The poverty rate has fallen from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14 to 11.28 per cent in 2022-23, and further declines are now being reported.

The Road Ahead: India @ 2047

As India approaches the centenary of its independence, it is now setting an agenda for global development. India’s progress and resilience are evident through key reforms like GST, simplification of regulations, and removal of legal redundancies. Yet, more needs to be done to improve ease of doing business, reduce compliance burdens, enhance competitiveness, and integrate more deeply into global supply chains.

Strategic investments, governance reforms, and inclusive growth have built a strong foundation. Going forward, agility in policymaking, focus on sustainability, and deeper integration into global supply chains through improved manufacturing and skilling will be key. India’s development journey, rooted in economic strength, digital progress, is now aiming for resilience and long-term impact.

The writer is Chairman and Managing Director, JK Paper Limited and Director, J K Organisaton

Source: The Indian Express.