Letters to the editor : Bumpy road ahead

Kamal Nath?s target of a ten-fold increase in road construction (?Let?s take the high road?) is ambitious, but necessary. One can?t overemphasise the need for big-ticket projects: just look at the crumbling state of infrastructure in both urban and rural India. In fact, good infrastructre facilities provide the backbone to sound overall development. A three-pronged strategy can remove the bumps in the minister?s roadmap for improvement in this sector. First, only the best firms should be encouraged to undertake projects. Second, recognise timely completion with incentives. Third, deal with corruption with an iron hand. Transparency, monitoring and accountability are the bulwarks against every evil afflicting India?s development.