IDFC

Our Approach

The India Infrastructure Report (IIR) brings together a well-researched evaluation of legal, financial/fiscal, regulatory, technological, social and conceptual issues on a contemporary theme of relevance to infrastructure development. The IIR is an invaluable resource for policymakers, industry and researchers. Starting in the year 2001, IIR has come a long way and have discussed various dimensions of infrastructure development in its annual series.

India Infrastructure Report (IIR) is the result of IDFC Foundation's collaborative approach towards providing a forum for free, frank and open exchange of views necessary to arrive at innovative and workable solution across various infrastructure sectors that would find acceptance among various stakeholders. It is the outcome of the efforts of academics, researchers, experts and is widely disseminated. The theme of IIR every year is carefully chosen to reflect a central contemporary issue in infrastructure development and promote discussion on various facets around the central theme and also suggest pragmatic solutions to overcome challenges. The IIR considered to be extremely useful by policy makers, have received wide publicity over the years and have provided an excellent forum for scholars, students and practitioners to share their views with decision makers.

IIR started its first annual series during 2002 focusing on Issues in regulation and market structure. This first attempt emphasized on policies required to create an appropriate market structure for infrastructure provision and the regulatory framework this implies. India Infrastructure Report (IIR) series has had several contributors including members of the 3iNetwork, a network of three institutions: the Infrastructure Development Finance Company, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Since then IIR has witnessed its annual series till 2018 (barring a few intervening years) covering various aspects such as; governance issues for commercialization, public expenditure, allocation and accountability, ensuring value for money, urban infrastructure, rural infrastructure, business model of the future, land as a critical resource for infrastructure, infrastructure development in low carbon economy; water policy and performance for sustainable development, private sector in education, universal health coverage, affordable housing etc.

India Infrastructure Report 2023

India’s urban population has increased rapidly over the past decade and this rapid urbanization is set to continue in the future. It is expected that by 2025, half of India’s population will be urban. The urbanization process has created myriad problems such as transportation, poverty, unemployment, unauthorized housing colonies, slums, and squatter settlements. Adding to this, the issues of climate change, health, and pandemic outbreaks make urban life even more daunting. The criticality of urban problems has not been fully understood and it requires a multidisciplinary approach and expertise. With the introduction of centrally sponsored schemes such as Smart City, PMAY, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, etc., it is even more important for policymakers, city managers, urban development professionals, and students to develop the required skills and understanding of urban development, governance, management in addition to the classical knowledge of City and Infrastructure Planning.

In India, the urban planning machinery has not grown at the pace with the demands posed by urbanization and global technological advancements. Urban local bodies face a massive shortage of skilled and trained human resources as well as financial challenges. Furthermore, poor quality of planning is a huge limiting factor to realize the true economic potentials of urbanization. Realising the centrality of urban planning and development, IDFC Foundation has compiled the India Infrastructure Report 2023 highlighting infrastructure planning, finance, and governance requirements, to support the urbanisation process in the country.

The Report analyses the patterns of urban expansion and the challenges of urban growth in the country, and recommends possible pathways to transform disorderly growth into better planned and inclusive cities. The research, data, knowledge, practice, and experience of iDeCK and NIUA have facilitated the production of the Report. Committed to the idea that infrastructure is the backbone of the nation, crucial for social and economic growth, iDeCK offers advisory, planning and design, engineering, and legal, policy, and institution strengthening services for infrastructure development. Over the years, iDeCK has contributed actively to nearly 1000 infrastructure projects, supporting in all areas of the infrastructure value chain from planning or development to governance, finance, and implementation.

On the other hand, NIUA has been directing India’s urban narrative, bridging the vital gap between policy and practice at the central, state, and city levels. Particularly amidst the challenges posed by rising population densities, massive industrial and economic shifts, and impacts of climate change, NIUA has been at the forefront of developing new tools and research paradigms that respond to the dynamic nature of cities and needs of their populace. IDFC Foundation’s collaboration with iDeCK and NIUA has been instrumental in delivering a comprehensive and insightful Report. The relentless pursuit for urban and infrastructure development shared by both the institutions is reflected throughout IIR 2023, offering a futuristic perspective to foster sustainable growth and development in Indian urban landscape.