Provides the context, highlights key issues, and focuses on major sub-sectors such as power, water, sewage, and irrigation in rural infrastructure.

Based on primary data collected through a nationwide survey, the report aims to resolve some of the contradictions that have stymied the expansion of infrastructure in rural India with the aim of encouraging balanced regional growth of rural infrastructure. It proposes - Forming public-private partnerships - Greater decentralisation of regulation and ownership - Greater reliance on user fees to recover costs - Greater use of microfinance This is a definitive report on the state of rural infrastructure in the four major sectors of power, telecommunications, roads and transport, and water and sanitation. Given that the solutions to rural infrastructure problems are necessarily going to be unique in rural areas, where people are already underserved, this study focusing on rural infrastructure is valuable in that it advocates for new financing methods; attracting new players to provide services; adopting new policies to support privatisation and decentralisation of infrastructure services. In sum, it outlines a financially sustainable and inventive new approach.

Dr V Basil Hans MA, MPhil, PhD is Associate Professor and Head, Dept of Economics and dean Faculty of Arts, St Aloysius Evening College, Mangalore. He has more than 30 years of teaching experience at UG and PG levels. Dr Hans has guided six MPhil and three PhD candidates successfully. He is an editor/reviewer for 31 journals. He has authored 18 books, edited 7 volumes and written 212 articles. He has presented 82 papers in national seminars and 12 in international conferences. His forthcoming book in on sanitation culture in India.

Indian rural infrastructure report 2007.

Well-designed infrastructure development programmes play a key role in reducing poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability. The India Infrastructure Report 2010 emphasizes the need to align infrastructure projects with the goal of a low-carbon economy. Authoritative and insightful, the report examines: Legal and Regulatory Issues; Financing Infrastructure Development; Energy Infrastructure; Transport Infrastructure; Urban Infrastructure; Rural Infrastructure. It reviews the developments in individual sectors-ultra mega power projects, dams, highways, airports, and construction projects. Incorporating case studies from Delhi, Mumbai, and West Bengal, this report highlights policy initiatives taken by the government to achieve a low carbon sustainable economy.

Produced by the National Council of Applied Economic Research in New Delhi. Provides an overview of the need for improvement of the infrastructure in India and makes recommendations for achieving this goal. Discusses the question of commercialization, investments required (1996-2006), the role of the capital market, necessary regulatory frameworks, and fiscal issues. Examines the urban infrastructure as well as other elements such as power, telecommunications, roads, industrial parks and ports. Includes a table of abbreviations and acronyms used in the report.

Heoretical framework: central place theory. Regional provision and useof services. Household patterns of service use. Changing patterns of service provision and use at the regional and household levels. Conclusions and policy implications.

In Indian context.