The 96th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) has endorsed four pivotal infrastructure projects, including three railway and one road initiative, poised to significantly enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency across India. Chaired by Joint Secretary Pankaj Kumar of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), this strategic approval aligns with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. These projects are set to reduce travel times, boost economic activity, and foster sustainable, equitable urban and regional development.
The NPG’s rigorous evaluation process ensures that proposed infrastructure projects are meticulously assessed for their alignment with PM GatiShakti’s core objectives: integrated planning, last-mile connectivity, and intermodal coordination. This holistic approach aims to break down silos between different ministries and departments, promoting a cohesive national infrastructure development strategy. By focusing on projects that offer comprehensive benefits, the NPG seeks to maximise socio-economic returns, ensuring that investments in physical infrastructure translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens and the efficiency of the national economy.
Among the key railway projects approved by the Ministry of Railways (MoR) is the construction of a fourth railway line between Asangaon and Kasara in Maharashtra. Spanning approximately 34.97 kilometres in Thane district, this vital corridor aims to significantly enhance rail capacity and decongest the existing network, crucial for both passenger and freight movement. The alignment, incorporating major and minor bridges, road overbridges (ROBs), and road underbridges (RUBs), forms part of the HDN-2 corridor. It is strategically positioned to serve key industrial hubs, including JNPA, Dighi Port, JSW Dolvi, and major warehousing clusters of Amazon, Flipkart, and Adani Logistics, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of freight transport and boosting industrial efficiency.
Further bolstering rail infrastructure, the NPG also approved the doubling of the 103.528-kilometre railway line between Bakhtiyarpur and Tilaiya in Bihar. This project, traversing the districts of Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, and Nawada, and passing through major towns like Rajgir and Hisua, is critical for supporting freight movement to significant industrial facilities such as the SJVN Chausa power plant and UltraTech Cement plant. With current traffic volumes of 28.33 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) projected to increase by an additional 26.02 MTPA by FY 2029–30, this doubling project will ensure seamless logistics, reduce transport-related emissions, and provide equitable access to markets for agricultural and industrial produce across the region.
In the northern corridor, the construction of third and fourth broad-gauge lines between Delhi and Ambala, covering a total length of 193.60 kilometres, received approval. This project spans the National Capital Region and Haryana, connecting major cities like Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Ambala. The 33-station alignment, integrated with major national highways and improving access to key airports, is expected to significantly benefit agriculture, tourism, and trade. By enhancing both passenger and freight capacity, this project will reduce travel times and vehicular congestion on parallel road networks, contributing to cleaner air and a more efficient, eco-friendly transportation system.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) also secured approval for the four-laning of an 82.4-kilometre stretch of National Highway-33 from Mokameh Khas to Safiyabad Morcha in Bihar. To be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), this corridor will substantially improve regional connectivity by linking existing national and state highways, ensuring access to key hubs such as Patna, Lakhisarai, and Munger. The project is designed to support the Baruani industrial area and facilitate seamless freight and passenger movement between Patna and Jharkhand. By diverting commercial vehicles to a high-speed bypass, it will decongest city routes, enhance safety, and reduce travel time, thereby contributing to lower urban pollution and a more sustainable urban environment.
These strategically approved projects collectively represent a significant stride towards India’s vision of integrated, multimodal infrastructure. By enhancing connectivity, reducing logistical inefficiencies, and promoting more sustainable modes of transport, they are poised to accelerate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and improve the quality of life for millions. This comprehensive approach to infrastructure development is fundamental to building a future where India’s cities and regions are not only economically vibrant but also environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and resilient to evolving challenges.
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