India's Transportation Infrastructure Not Keeping Up

The 40,000-mile Indian Railways system in particular hasn't been able to keep up with the nation's rapid pace of expansion.

"Economists say India must invest heavily in transportation to achieve a long-term annual growth rate of 10 percent - the goal recently set by the prime minister, Manmohan Singh. But whether measured by highways, airways or - particularly - far-reaching railways, India's transportation is falling short.

Critics say the growth and modernization of Indian Railways has been hampered by government leaders more interested in winning elections and appeasing select constituents, rather than investing in the country's long-term needs. It is one of the many ways that the political realities of India's clamorous democracy stand in contrast to the forced march that China's authoritarian system can dictate for economic development."