Comments by "M Shastri" (@libshastra) on "Understanding Modi Govt’s LEADS report, how states rank u0026 UP’s rise" video.

  1. The amount of Infrastructure UP is building outside of NCR is ridiculous. UP had essentially combined MSRDC and MIDC (GSRDC and GIDC for Gujarat) into one entity (YEIDA, UPEIDA) and built highways and industrial parks in the same project. Similarly UPMRC has supersized MahaMetro and built metros rather very efficiently. Infrastructure watchers are not surprised all at. UP might beat Southern states pretty soon. Southern states are the only ones that solely relies on Center's funds to build Infrastructure outside of their capital cities. Btw Agra Lucknow expressway makes about Rs. 1cr/day in tolls, that's roughly 1/3rd of Mumbai Pune expressway within a year of operation. It shows that their infrastructure projects are sound and not just throwing away money.
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  2. I wouldn't discount some state agencies. MSRDC under Fadnavis, YEIDA, UPEIDA under Yogi, MahaMetro, GMRCL, UPMRCL have done a tremendous amount of heavy lifting. MSRDC and YEIDA, UPEIDA are self funded without Centre contributing money into the project. I think that should be highlighted as well.
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  3.  @tomriddle4110  Gujarat is interesting. Unlike Maharashtra and UP (currently), Gujarat built most of it's Infrastructure through it's own PWD. Maharashtra and UP are self financing and getting it done through State agencies. Both are worth highlighting and studying. In those states, agencies paid their contractors in time and got things done. Agencies like MSRDC are subject to external audits especially the SPV they spin up for their projects. This has essentially forced State to allocate money for the agencies, (PWDs gets money from General fund which isn't audited as much), somewhat deterred raiding the general fund for freebies (smaller pot to raid) and contractors are paid in time which is one of the main reason for shoddy work.
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