Shillong: Meghalaya faces a massive infrastructure crisis. High rainfall and constant humidity are eating away at bridges, highways, and power lines. A recent report by consulting firm Nomura warns that the state's harsh climate accelerates the decay of steel and reinforced concrete. Infrastructure assets require urgent protection.
The Northeast has seen a decade of heavy investment in roads, railways, airports, and border projects. Engineers cannot use standard designs meant for drier regions here. They must switch to exposure-based methods to keep structures standing. Corrosion is a technical and economic burden in these remote, hilly areas.
Maintenance costs skyrocket when accessibility remains difficult. The report argues against choosing contractors just because they offer the lowest price. "Lifecycle cost-based decision-making would help governments optimise public expenditure by reducing future maintenance expenses while extending the operational life of infrastructure," the authors note.
Corrosion drains the national economy. It sucks away 14.14 lakh crore rupees every year, roughly 4.3 percent of the country's GDP. Fixing this could boost the national economy by 1.5 percent. Leaders must treat durability as a strategic priority, not just a maintenance chore.
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