The World Bank has said that it would increase its assistance to India to about $ 3-4 billion during the current financial year from $1.7 billion in 2003-04. C M Vasudev, executive director, World Bank said about $ 2 billion would be for infrastructure development. ‘‘Out of the total we will give $ 2 billion for India’s infrastructure,’’ Vasudev said on the sidelines of a seminar on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), held on Thursday. He added that India and China have persuaded the World Bank to frame a new policy directed towards larger investment in infrastructure rather than focusing on social sectors. The World Bank has firmed up an ‘‘Infrastructure Action Plan’’ and would focus on areas like power, highways, railways, power, water and urban infrastructure. The bank may even provide its assistance in the Railways modernisation project.
