Gujarat infrastructure is mainly based on the state's industrial sector with 1/5th of India's industrial output coming from Gujarat.
Bordered by Pakistan, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, and the Arabian Sea,
Gujarat infrastructure has led to the state becoming one of the most affluent and
advanced states of India.
Facts and figures
Gujarat has always led from the front as far as infrastructural advancement is concerned. From a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of INR 74,270 million in 1980,
the GSDP of Gujarat grew to an impressive INR 700,000 million in 2000.
Gujarat's GDP is now growing at a rate of around 12% each year. The
per capita GDP of Gujarat is more than thrice the all-India average. With a population of around 5 crore, the
per capita income of Gujarat hovers around the INR 18500 mark. If Gujarat was considered a country, it is likely to be the 67th most
prosperous nation in the world, ranked above China!
Economic Infrastructure of Gujarat
Gujarat was among the first states in India to invite
private sector investment in infrastructure. Gujarat is well connected by about 74,000 km of roads, 11 airports, and the well-planned Indian Railways network. There are as many as 41
ports in Gujarat along its 1600 km coastline.
Gujarat Agriculture
In spite of its industrial reliance, agricultural is an important sector of
Gujarat infrastructure. The main
agricultural produce of Gujarat comprises of:
- Cotton
- Sugarcane
- Peanuts
- Dates
- Milk
- Milk-based products
It is pertinent to note here that
Amul Milk Co-operative Federation originates in Gujarat and was responsible for the
White Revolution ushered in India by
Verghese Kurien, making India the
world's largest producer of milk and milk-based products.
Gujarat Industries
Gujarat infrastructure derives most of its robustness from
Gujarat industry. Not only does Gujarat produce 1/5th of India's industrial production, it is also responsible for producing 35% of India's pharmaceutical products, 24% of its textiles, 22% of India's exports, and 9% of India's minerals.
Gujarat is home to some of the world's most extensive business empires. Alang, in Gujarat is home to the
world's largest ship breaking yard and
Jamnagar oil refinery owned by Reliance Petroleum Ltd., is the
largest “grass-root refinery” of the world. Salt, cement, ceramics, gems, jewelry, and petrochemicals are some of the other prominent industries of Gujarat.
Investments in Gujarat
Gujarat holds only 6% of India's geographical area and 5% of its population, but accounts for more than 16% of
India's investments and around 30% of stock market capitalization. Projects worth INR 34,000 crore have been planned and are being implemented in Gujarat.
Significant investment opportunities exist in the following sectors in Gujarat:
- Biotechnology
- Bio-informatics
- Agricultural Export Zones (AEZs)
- Industrial biotechnology
The Gujarat government also plans to build 271 check dams in around 20 rivers of Gujarat under
Narmada-based plans. The
Kalapasar Project undertaken by the Gujarat government aims at connecting Kathiawad and Gujarat better, enhance transport facilities, initiate land reforms, and provide water for irrigation.
