Four infrastructure projects are suggested by the PM GatiShakti-led 54th Network Planning Group Meeting
Yesterday in New Delhi, the 54th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting was convened under the auspices of Smt Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways all actively participated in the conference. Two projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and two projects from the Ministry of Railways, totaling Rs 7, 693.17 crore, were evaluated during the conference.
Smt Dawra emphasised the need of using the GatiShakti National Master Plan portal and leveraging the "whole of government" strategy for planning and implementing infrastructure. The crucial importance of the projects in terms of connectedness to the region's economic and social nodes was emphasised, and she emphasised the importance of using an area development approach.
The four-lane Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR), funded by the Bharatmala Pariyojana and costing Rs 4,767.20 crore, was assessed by NPG. A section of the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor includes this project corridor. The initiative will help regions that are economically underdeveloped grow by enabling smoother and quicker connectivity from the northern region to the eastern region. The project will shorten travel distances, save on vehicle operating expenses, and offer last-mile connectivity to Vizhinjam's new international seaport.
The NPG evaluated the Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi Corridor, a different road project, with a project cost of Rs 1,179.33 Crore. At the intersection of the brand-new Vadodara-Delhi Motorway, the project road begins, and it terminates at the post-Mumbai-Vadodara Motorway. It provides crucial communication to Bodeli, Devaliya, Rajpipla, Netrang, Vyara, Dharampur, and farther south to Mumbai via the currently being built Vadodara-Mumbai Motorway. The project will enhance the road system, which will help the local population by lowering travel costs, trip time, and travel distance. Additionally, it will promote tourist and socioeconomic growth along the project road.
A new wide gauge railway line between Pushkar and Merta in Rajasthan was also discussed by NPG. The project's estimated cost was Rs 799.64 crores. The new line that is being considered will offer direct connectivity between Central India and the western border as well as to Northern India. Additionally, it will relieve congestion and lower highway traffic.
The NPG valued a new broad-gauge line connecting Merta City and Ras Railway Stations, another rail project in Rajasthan, at Rs 947 Crore. The project is crucial for accelerating the flow of products and fostering regional, industrial, and general growth in Rajasthan's Pali and Nagaur districts.