The Network Planning Group (NPG), a key component of the PM Gati Shakti initiative, claims substantial cost savings of up to ₹15 crore per kilometer for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects. This achievement is attributed to a strategic reduction in road length by integrating expressway corridors, following alignment modifications.
Sumita Dawra, leading the NPG as Special Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, highlighted the NPG’s role in assessing 119 infrastructure projects valued at $143.26 billion since its establishment in October 2021. The NPG’s recommendations extend beyond highways, encompassing over 200 state logistics infrastructure projects worth $660 million.
The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), launched in 2021, aims to create integrated and planned infrastructure to curtail logistics costs. Dawra emphasized that PM Gati Shakti has developed over 75 use-cases ready for implementation.
Beyond road and rail focus, the NPG addresses social sector planning, identifying gaps for new hospitals, irrigation projects, schools, and road connectivity. Dawra highlighted the NPG’s pivotal role in providing comprehensive data to ministries, facilitating quicker project planning and implementation across various sectors.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has effectively utilized PM Gati Shakti for ground surveys, land records, and highway alignments, resulting in time and cost savings, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Dawra noted efficiency gains in other ministries; for instance, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) can now generate reports for pipeline projects within a day, compared to the previous 6-9 months. The NPG has identified 192 railway connectivity projects worth ₹5.26 trillion in just one month on the NMP.
The NPG emerges as a vital component in the realization of the PM Gati Shakti vision, contributing to significant savings, streamlined processes, and improved connectivity across diverse sectors.