Rs 52,000 crore boost: Under PM Gati Shakti, India's visionary infrastructure projects reviewed

This assembly marked a significant milestone, propelling the tally of projects assessed by NPG to an astounding 112, with a cumulative value exceeding Rs. 11.53 Lakh Crore since the inception of the groundbreaking PM GatiShakti approach.

In a remarkable display of forward-thinking infrastructure development, the 56th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting convened under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister GatiShakti. This momentous gathering scrutinized six transformative project proposals, a testament to the nation's commitment to progress. Among these proposals, four hailed from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), while the Ministry of Railways (MoR) contributed two, amassing an awe-inspiring total project cost of Rs. 52,000 Crore.

Under the distinguished chairpersonship of Smt. Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary of Logistics at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the 56th NPG meeting unfolded at the grand Yashobhoomi Convention Center in the heart of New Delhi. This assembly marked a significant milestone, propelling the tally of projects assessed by NPG to an astounding 112, with a cumulative value exceeding Rs. 11.53 Lakh Crore since the inception of the groundbreaking PM GatiShakti approach.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways unveiled four groundbreaking road projects worth a staggering Rs. 45,000 Crore, meticulously aligned with the GatiShakti principles. Among these transformative endeavors, the first proposal unveiled a Greenfield Road spanning the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Beyond enhancing connectivity for industrial hubs in Navsari, Nashik, and Ahmednagar, this project extended its benevolent reach to the agriculture sector, contributing to the holistic socio-economic upliftment of tribal districts such as Navsari, Valsad, and Nashik. It also promised to bolster the tourism sector while creating vital links to aspirational districts like Osmanabad.

The second Greenfield Road project, situated within Gujarat, charted a course through Banaskantha, Patan, Mahesana, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad Districts. This visionary initiative aimed to seamlessly connect the Amritsar-Jamnagar economic corridor with the bustling urban centers of Ahmedabad and Vadodara, thereby championing the cause of multi-modality in the region.

Moving eastward, the third road project unfolded in the state of Bihar, proposing the construction of a 4-lane Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor under the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojna. This monumental endeavor promised to usher in socio-economic progress in Left-wing Extremism (LWE) afflicted regions, particularly tribal areas. By optimizing logistics and reducing travel time, it sought to establish a fluid link for traffic traversing from Uttar Pradesh through the Purvanchal Expressway en route to Jharkhand and Patna, all while integrating waterways within the region.

The fourth road project, strategically situated in Uttar Pradesh, aspired to enhance interstate connectivity, fostering a seamless union among Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

In a parallel vein, two railway project proposals, commanding a total investment of approximately Rs. 6,700 Crore, graced the meeting's agenda. The first entailed a transformative Greenfield railway line coursing through Odisha, touching the districts of Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khandhamal, Boudh, Sambalpur, and Angul. This pioneering initiative aimed to unify western Odisha's industrial and mineral clusters with the East Coast port, while also facilitating shorter port connectivity for the industrial hubs of eastern Chhattisgarh. With a promise of holistic socio-economic development in tribal belts, especially in Kandhamal and Boudh districts, this railway line laid the foundation for new industrial corridors.

The second railway project proposal unfolded in the enchanting state of Kerala and entailed the doubling of railway lines. This strategic augmentation of infrastructure pledged to elevate rail movement quality within a highly stressed corridor of Southern railway. Notably, it aimed to slash travel time for both goods and passenger trains, thus enhancing overall efficiency.

During this momentous meeting, the NPG acknowledged that these projects would extend their far-reaching benefits to numerous aspirational and tribal districts, heralding a new era of industrial development. The gathering witnessed active participation from senior officials representing esteemed departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Telecommunications, and NITI Aayog, all of whom demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the cause.

Discussions at the meeting underscored the instrumental role of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) portal in project planning. This digital marvel has revolutionized the infrastructure planning process, significantly reducing the time required for DPR preparation. Furthermore, it offers a comprehensive visualization of project intersections with forests, economic zones, archaeological sites, and social nodes, thereby aiding in route and alignment optimization and the efficient planning of last/first mile connectivity to major social and economic zones within project areas.

These visionary projects, seamlessly integrated with various modes of transportation, stand as exemplars of multi-modality promotion. The Area Development Approach, central to the project planning process, serves as a beacon of hope, promising to uplift the socio-economic fabric of the region as a whole.

In every project considered, the essence of embracing PM GatiShakti guidelines was palpable, promising to facilitate the seamless integration of diverse transportation modes and the promotion of multimodal connectivity. The implications are profound, with tangible benefits extending to both economic and social spheres of development. The 56th NPG meeting was not just a meeting; it was a milestone in the journey toward a brighter, more connected, and prosperous future for the nation.