Question

Which of these is highlighted as an acute infrastructural shortage in the Kerala economy?

• A. A. Sufficient public health services.
• B. B. Excellent road connectivity.
• C. C. Shortages in water supply, roads, electricity, and irrigation.
• D. D. Adequate educational facilities.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. C. Shortages in water supply, roads, electricity, and irrigation.

Acute Infrastructural Shortages in the Kerala Economy

• Water Supply Shortages

  • Despite receiving significant rainfall, Kerala faces acute water scarcity during non-monsoon months.
  • This is primarily due to its unique geographical features, including hilly terrain and undulating topography, which lead to rapid runoff of rainwater.
  • Poor water resource management, contamination of existing sources, and inadequate storage facilities also contribute to the shortage.
  • Competitive Exam Fact: Kerala is often cited as a paradox, having high rainfall but facing water stress, highlighting issues in water conservation and infrastructure.

• Roads Shortages

  • Kerala has one of the highest road densities in India; however, the quality and capacity of roads are significant concerns.
  • Most roads are narrow, poorly maintained, and highly congested, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
  • The slow pace of land acquisition and widening of National and State Highways exacerbates traffic bottlenecks and impacts logistics.
  • Competitive Exam Fact: The ongoing National Highway widening projects (NH 66) are crucial infrastructure developments aimed at addressing this shortage, often facing challenges like land acquisition costs.

• Electricity Shortages

  • Kerala's electricity generation is heavily reliant on hydroelectric power.
  • While the state can be power surplus during monsoon, it often faces significant deficits during non-monsoon periods, leading to high dependence on electricity purchases from other states.
  • Aging transmission and distribution infrastructure result in considerable technical and commercial losses.
  • Competitive Exam Fact: Idukki Hydroelectric Project is the largest hydroelectric power station in Kerala and one of the largest arch dams in Asia.

• Irrigation Shortages

  • Despite abundant rainfall, the state's irrigation infrastructure is often inadequate or underutilized, impacting agricultural productivity.
  • Traditional irrigation methods prevail, and the adoption of modern, efficient irrigation techniques (like drip or sprinkler irrigation) is limited.
  • This affects crop cultivation, especially for seasonal crops that require consistent water supply beyond the monsoon season.
  • Competitive Exam Fact: Kerala's agriculture sector has seen shifts from paddy cultivation, partly due to labor shortages and insufficient irrigation support, leading to dependence on other states for food grains.

Key Facts related to Kerala's Economy and Infrastructure

• Kerala Model of Development: This model emphasizes high social development indicators (literacy, health, life expectancy) at relatively lower levels of economic growth, often highlighting the need for parallel infrastructure development.
• Remittances: A significant portion of Kerala's economy is supported by remittances from Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs), which also indirectly drives consumption but necessitates robust infrastructure for service delivery.
• Major Ongoing Infrastructure Projects: Apart from roads, projects like the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Kochi Metro Rail, and the GAIL Pipeline are aimed at boosting the state's infrastructure and economic growth.
• Urbanization: Kerala is one of the most urbanized states in India, putting immense pressure on existing urban infrastructure like water, sanitation, and transportation.