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Competition and the Welfare Gains from Transportation Infrastructure: Evidence from the Golden Quadrilateral of India

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  • José Asturias
  • Manuel García-Santana
  • Roberto Ramos

Abstract

A significant amount of resources is spent every year on the improvement of transportation infrastructure in developing countries. In this paper, we investigate the effects of one such large project, the Golden Quadrilateral in India, on the income and allocative efficiency of the economy. We do so using a quantitative model of internal trade with variable markups. We find real income gains of 2.71% in the aggregate and that allocative efficiency accounts for 8% of these gains. The importance of allocative efficiency varies greatly across states, and can account for up to 19% of the overall gains. Thus, allocative efficiency can play an important role in determining both the size and distribution of gains from new infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • José Asturias & Manuel García-Santana & Roberto Ramos, 2016. "Competition and the Welfare Gains from Transportation Infrastructure: Evidence from the Golden Quadrilateral of India," Working Papers 907, Barcelona School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bge:wpaper:907
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    allocative efficiency; infrastructure; internal trade;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity

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