India is spending massively on rail, roads and airports

Synopsis

India will overtake China as the world's most populous country by the end of this week, according to new data from the United Nations. India's population is projected to exceed 1.425 billion this month, surpassing China by nearly 3 million people by mid-year. This demographic shift raises significant questions about India's economy and infrastructure. While India is now the world's fifth-largest economy and has lifted over 400 million people out of poverty in the last 15 years, over 200 million still live below the poverty line. The rapid population growth puts immense pressure on infrastructure, particularly in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, which are struggling to cope with the influx of people from rural areas. The challenges of resource management, including roads, power networks, and sewage systems, are becoming increasingly critical as India prepares for this demographic milestone.