The Network Planning Group (NPG), under the PM GatiShakti initiative, has evaluated 18 critical road projects aimed at enhancing the country's road and highway infrastructure. These projects, spread across various states, are part of India?s larger effort to streamline multi-modal connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and promote economic growth. The review was conducted with the aim of ensuring faster implementation and addressing challenges related to road infrastructure development.

Key Highlights: PM GatiShakti Initiative: Launched in 2021, the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan is a government initiative that integrates various modes of transportation for seamless movement of goods and people. It focuses on synchronized planning and coordinated execution of infrastructure projects across ministries.

18 Road Projects: The 18 road projects evaluated by the NPG cover a wide geographical area, targeting critical gaps in India?s transportation network. These projects include new roadways, highway expansions, and improvements in existing routes. The projects are expected to play a key role in improving trade routes and reducing travel time.

Inter-Ministerial Coordination: The NPG facilitates coordination between various ministries, such as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Railways, and others, to ensure that infrastructure projects are developed in an integrated and holistic manner. This approach minimizes duplication of efforts and optimizes resource use.

Boost to Connectivity: The evaluated projects are designed to boost connectivity between industrial hubs, ports, and remote regions. The development of these roadways is expected to facilitate better movement of goods and services, reducing logistics costs and enhancing supply chain efficiency.

Strategic Importance: Many of the projects under review are of strategic importance for trade and commerce, linking key economic zones with markets. This is particularly relevant for the government?s vision of making India a global manufacturing hub, as road connectivity is crucial for transporting raw materials and finished goods.

Economic Growth and Employment: The road projects are expected to create job opportunities and contribute to regional economic growth. Improved infrastructure will not only benefit industries but also stimulate growth in local economies, promoting entrepreneurship and tourism.

Environmental and Social Impact: While the focus is on infrastructure growth, the NPG is also evaluating the environmental and social impacts of these projects. The group ensures that road development complies with environmental norms and that affected communities are adequately rehabilitated.

Public and Private Collaboration: Many of the road projects will be developed through public-private partnerships (PPP), leveraging private sector expertise and investment to achieve faster completion. The government is encouraging collaboration with private players to ensure efficient project execution.

Next Steps: Following the evaluation, the NPG will provide recommendations for project implementation, prioritizing those that align with national economic goals. The group?s focus will be on expediting clearances, securing funding, and ensuring that all stakeholders work together to meet deadlines.

PM GatiShakti?s Broader Vision: Beyond road infrastructure, PM GatiShakti integrates multiple sectors, including railways, ports, aviation, and energy. The holistic approach aims to create an interconnected and efficient infrastructure landscape that will boost India?s global competitiveness.

The evaluation of these 18 road projects under the PM GatiShakti framework marks a significant step towards enhancing India's infrastructure capabilities. The initiative is poised to play a key role in achieving the government?s vision of reducing logistics costs and improving ease of doing business.