Global Competitive Index 2010 shows India needs better roads

September 13, 2010

The World Economic Forum has ranked 139 economies in its 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Report.

In overall competitiveness India scores a passable 51^st place. It ranks notably ahead of Latin America’s powerhouse Brazil (58) and way ahead of its neighbours Pakistan (123), Sri Lanka (62) and Bangladesh (107), but behind China (27).

One of the indicators that compose the index is quality of roads. And here India ranks at a lowly 90^th place, behind China, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The index does not say what roads are to blame. But as any local observer will find, overcrowded local roads and substandard highways are the main problem.

The hope is that the report will lead to the obvious solution: building more toll roads to take the pressure of the troubled roads.