Developed countries have generally built their infrastructure before taking a high technology/service leap. China has roughly followed the same path. India, in contrast, succeeded in IT and telecom and in services generally while its infrastructure remained substandard. Of course, it would have been wonderful had the two proceeded simultaneously. But the late start has the advantage of giving governments a warning: look at big infrastructure projects as a crucial necessity and remember your role is that of a facilitator for public good.
How politicians read this is also crucial because in this phase of growth, corporates will inevitably get bigger. Big corporations are rational economic responses to modernisation. Accountability in government-corporate dealings is therefore hugely important if projects are not to get caught in scandal-mongering. Many Reliance projects, for example, have attracted excited whispers and many politicians have figured in them. All this is no good. Entrepreneurs can build India — as long as politicians can show a minimum amount of smartness and transparency. editor@expressindia.com
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