NEW DELHI: Terming infrastructure as the backbone for any economy, the Economic Survey on Monday said there has been a consistent increase in the construction of National Highways/roads since 2013-14, with 13,327 kms constructed in 2020-21 as compared to 10,237 kms in 2019-20.
The Survey further said the extent and quality of infrastructure determine the ability of a country to utilise its comparative advantage and enable cost competitiveness.
"Infrastructure is the back bone for any economy," the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament said.
It said in 2021-22 (till September), 3,824 kms of road network was constructed.
"There has been a consistent increase in the construction of National Highways/roads since 2013-14 with 13,327 kms of roads constructed in 2020-21 as compared to 10,237 kms in 2019-20, indicating an increase of 30.2 per cent over the previous year," it said.
According to the Survey, the significant upturn in road construction in 2020-21 was due to the increase in public expenditure by 29.5 per cent as compared to the previous year -- a reflection of the impetus given by the government to a critical sector that generates employment and supports infrastructure during a pandemic year.
It also noted that road infrastructure is widely recognised as a potent means of socio-economic integration and is vital for the economic development of the country.