Do big dams symbolise India's economic progress?

This is a fairly complex question.  On one hand, there is
a definite argument suggesting that the construction of dams helps to bring out greater
modernization and commercialization to rural India.  This was the major point of
emphasis by Prime Minister Nehru in the wakes of  Independence.  The belief at the time
was that the rural life of India could be brought into the modern and urban fold through
dam construction.  Over time, opposition has been raised to the corrupt and collusive
nature of these projects, in that businesses have influenced government decisions about
dams.  Adding to this would be the environmental and social impact of dam construction
that has become of vital importance in Indian assessment of dam construction and
progress.  Thinkers like Roy argue that dam construction cannot be signs of economic
progress if villagers and those immediately impacted by the construction of dams are not
benefiting from the projects.  Economic progress, it is argued, cannot benefit the few
at the cost of the many.  If one believes that economic progress is defined by
construction and generating infrastructure projects, then perhaps an argument about dams
and economic progress can be made.  At the same time, the collusion that has been noted
as a result of dam construction as well as the negative social impacts would make one
reconsider as to whether dam construction does represent economic
progress.