2014年-世界发展银行全球_Demographic_and_Economic_Overview_of_the_Corridor_States___Punjab_Haryana_Uttar_Pradesh_Bihar_Jharkhand_and_West_Bengal_44页_25mb

Demographic and Economic Overview of the Corridor States: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal

Core Content

This report provides a demographic and economic overview of six states in India—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal—as part of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) project. These states are strategically important due to their high population concentration and economic activity, and the EDFC is expected to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

The EDFC, which is 1,839 km long, runs from Ludhiana to Kolkata, passing through all six states. It is part of the larger 'Golden Quadrilateral' rail network, which accounts for 16% of India's railway route length but carries over 60% of its freight. The EDFC aims to increase freight capacity, reduce costs, and improve reliability, which will also help in improving passenger services on existing lines. The project is being implemented in three sections: Khurja-Kanpur (EDFC1), Kanpur-Mughal Sarai (EDFC2), and Ludhiana-Khurja-Dadri (EDFC3), with the first two already underway and the third planned for the future. The remaining 663 km of the EDFC will be funded by the Government of India and public-private partnerships.

Main Points

Population and Urbanization

• The six states account for about 40% of India's population and are experiencing faster population growth than the national average.
• Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal have the highest urbanization rates (37%, 35%, and 32%, respectively), while Bihar has the lowest at 11%.
• Urban populations in Bihar and Jharkhand are concentrated around state capitals, Patna and Ranchi, respectively.

Poverty and Human Development

• UP and Bihar have the highest poverty rates, with 53% and 39% of their populations living below the poverty line (US$1.25 per day), respectively.
• West Bengal has a poverty rate of 26.7%, slightly below the national average of 29.8%.
• Jharkhand and central UP also have poverty rates above 39%, making them among the least developed states.
• The Human Development Index (HDI) is low in UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand, with Maharashtra serving as a benchmark for relatively developed states.
• HDI dimensions include long and healthy life, knowledge, gender equality, and standard of living. UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand score lower in all these areas compared to Maharashtra and other Corridor states.

Economic Structure

• The tertiary sector dominates the economy of all six states, contributing over 50% to GDSP in 2011.
• Agriculture remains a significant contributor in Punjab, UP, and West Bengal, despite a general decline in its share of state GDP.
• Mining and industrial activities are prominent in Jharkhand, while trade, hotels, and restaurants are dominant in Haryana and Bihar.
• The Corridor states have diverse economic structures, with varying levels of industrial and commercial activity across districts.

Key Challenges

• Poor human development indicators, including low literacy rates, high infant and maternal mortality, and gender inequality, hinder progress.
• Bihar has the lowest literacy rate at 63.8%, followed by Jharkhand.
• Gender inequality is widespread, with significant disparities in literacy and health outcomes.
• The project aims to leverage the EDFC's infrastructure to promote balanced development and create growth hubs.

Key Information

• EDFC Overview:
  • Total length: 1,839 km
  • World Bank funded sections: 1,176 km (EDFC1: 343 km, EDFC2: 393 km, EDFC3: 397+43 km)
  • Total cost of World Bank funded sections: US$4,502 million
• Poverty Incidence:
  • Bihar: 53%
  • UP: 39%
  • Jharkhand: 37%
  • West Bengal: 26.7%
• Human Development:
  • HDI: Lowest in UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand
  • Life expectancy: Lowest in UP (65.6 years), Jharkhand (63.0 years), and Bihar (66.0 years)
  • Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): UP (57 per 1,000), Bihar (44 per 1,000), Jharkhand (39 per 1,000)
• Economic Growth:
  • The six states account for 28.6% of India's GDP and 40% of its population
  • Tertiary sector dominates GDSP in all states, with agriculture still significant in Punjab, UP, and West Bengal
  • Industrial activities are concentrated in Haryana and Bihar, with mining being a key sector in Jharkhand

Conclusion

The EDFC is a major infrastructure initiative that promises to enhance connectivity and economic activity in the Corridor states. Despite challenges in human development and poverty, the project offers an opportunity for balanced growth and development. Strategic development of industrial and logistics hubs along the corridor is essential to fully realize its economic potential. The World Bank's NLTA is aimed at supporting the formulation of development options along the EDFC, with collaboration from various Indian government departments and agencies.