New Delhi’s infrastructure push has hit a new milestone. The Network Planning Group (NPG), under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, has scrutinized 352 projects totaling an estimated Rs 16.10 lakh crore. This revelation came in a detailed Lok Sabha response from Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada.
Of these ambitious ventures, 201 have received the green light, with 167 already under active implementation. The NPG’s role is pivotal in the planning stage, ensuring seamless multi-modal integration, coordinated efforts across ministries, last-mile connectivity, and data-driven decisions. This systematic approach fosters holistic development around project sites.
The government’s commitment extends further. The Department of Expenditure in the Finance Ministry has allocated Rs 5,000 crore as interest-free loans to states for 50 years, bolstering regional infrastructure growth. Monitoring remains robust: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation tracks central sector projects costing over Rs 150 crore, including those under PM Gati Shakti.
To accelerate progress on mega projects worth Rs 500 crore or more, the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) was established. Its innovative five-tier resolution mechanism addresses issues from the ground up—starting at relevant ministries for routine hurdles and escalating to the PRAGATI platform for complex challenges. This streamlined process eliminates redundancies, allowing senior officials to focus on high-impact matters.
Integration of PM Gati Shakti with PMG has proven transformative, swiftly resolving regulatory bottlenecks and implementation delays. As India races towards a $5 trillion economy, these coordinated efforts signal a maturing infrastructure ecosystem poised for sustained growth and global competitiveness.