HomeInfrastructureNew Delhi to Review Major Rail and Road Projects Under PM GatiShakti...

New Delhi to Review Major Rail and Road Projects Under PM GatiShakti Plan

New Delhi’s Network Planning Group, chaired by DPIIT Joint Secretary Pankaj Kumar, has reviewed four transformational infrastructure proposals under the PM GatiShakti master plan. The session evaluated three major brownfield railway projects—Asangaon–Kasara fourth line, doubling Bakhtiyarpur–Tilaiya, and third/fourth line Delhi–Ambala—and a new four-lane highway segment on NH‑80. These integrated upgrades aim to enhance multimodal connectivity, reduce carbon emissions, and boost economic development while fostering sustainable, zero‑carbon logistics networks.

At the heart of the discussions were three major brownfield rail schemes proposed by the Ministry of Railways and a greenfield road initiative from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Each project was rigorously assessed for synergy with PM GatiShakti’s core themes: integrated planning, last-mile connectivity, intermodal coordination, and reducing travel times. Together, they promise socio-economic uplift alongside greener transport alternatives.

The first railway proposal concerns the addition of a fourth track between Asangaon and Kasara in Thane district, Maharashtra. Spanning nearly 35 km, this upgrade caters to both suburban commuters and freight operators who frequently face bottlenecks across the highly trafficked corridor. The route supports industrial and logistics hubs, including Dighi Port and e-commerce distribution centres, making decongestion both a commuter and climate imperative. Structural works on this stretch involve major and minor bridges and provisions for safe road crossings, ensuring minimal ecological disruption during construction.

Further east, Bihar’s Karnauti–Tilaiya rail corridor, traversing key economic zones such as Bakhtiyarpur and Rajgir, is slated for doubling. With current freight movement nearing 28 million tonnes annually—and projected to grow by over 26 million tonnes by FY 2029–30—capacity expansion is critical to maintain supply chain resilience. The plan includes 18 major bridges and numerous underpasses to safeguard communities and wildlife paths, reinforcing logistics efficiency in a region where rural road connectivity often lags.

Heading north, the longstanding Delhi–Ambala railway gap is set to be addressed via new third and fourth broad-gauge lines spanning nearly 194 km. This corridor is a vital conduit through Haryana and the National Capital Region, connecting urban centres, airports, and economic districts. With 33 stations, prominent towns, and direct links to key national highways, the expansion will bolster rail-based freight movement, cut carbon footprints, and relieve road congestion, delivering multifaceted gains.

Completing the quartet, a greenfield highway project on NH‑80 in Bihar aims to enhance regional connectivity. The planned four-lane corridor links Mokama to Munger and integrates with NH-31, NH-33, and state highways under a Hybrid Annuity Model. It promises reduced travel time, lower emissions through smoother traffic flow, and targeted bypasses to relieve urban centres. As a result, freight access to industrial hubs like Baruani will be strengthened, providing socio-economic stimulus with minimal carbon displacement.

Taken together, these projects exemplify an integrated, climate-sensitive approach to infrastructure. By embedding carbon efficiency goals—such as reduced idling, modal shift from road to rail, and minimised construction emissions—into national planning, PM GatiShakti positions India on a sustainable growth trajectory. Cross-linked rail and highway enhancements will increase freight reliability, reduce logistics costs, and support equitable economic development across rural and urban zones.

DPIIT officials emphasise that green logistics strategies are essential to India’s decarbonisation targets. “Our aim is to create infrastructure that delivers climate and economic dividends simultaneously. These projects demonstrate that alignment,” Kumar stated. Indeed, optimised transport networks create room for emission-reduction technologies, such as electric locomotives and green building practices in highways.

But execution will be key. The NPG has now mandated inter-agency coordination, environmental compliance checks, and phased implementation timelines to ensure timely delivery. Post-approval, detailed project reports will be fast-tracked, equipping corridors with ecological safeguards—like wildlife crossings and green embankments—to uphold biodiversity commitments.

The ripple effects of these projects are expected to be profound. Rail corridors will ease cargo movements for agriculture, energy, and manufacturing sectors while reducing reliance on diesel trucks. Concurrently, road upgrades will serve emerging suburban clusters—spurring decentralised growth and curbing urban sprawl. In doing so, they support gender-neutral commute enhancements, enabling safer, more efficient travel for all.

Moreover, alignment with PM GatiShakti facilitates smart monitoring through geospatial data sharing and traffic analytics, delivering real-time insights into congestion and carbon metrics. This data-led oversight will ensure that urban and rural planners can adapt and expand infrastructure responsively, maintaining high service standards.

As India targets net-zero emissions by 2070, these initiatives reflect a strategic shift: investing in infrastructure that serves mobility and climate goals alike. By focusing on networked growth over isolated expansions, the NPG’s vision signals a future where transport enhances livelihoods without compromising ecological health.

In the coming months, funding approvals and tender processes will determine speed of rollout. Yet even at this evaluation stage, the projects underscore a national pivot towards greener transport corridors—where rail efficiency meets sustainable road design.

New Delhi’s 96th NPG meeting reinforces that infrastructure evolution can be both equitable and green. With PM GatiShakti as its backbone, these projects mark a defining step toward cities and regions that move smarter, cleaner, and fairer.

Also Read: Delhi Bans Fuel for End-of-Life Vehicles to Curb Pollution
New Delhi to Review Major Rail and Road Projects Under PM GatiShakti Plan

 

RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -spot_img

Most Popular

Latest News

Recent Comments