PM Gati Shakti: Network Planning Group’s Tactics Yield Reduced Costs And Swift Execution Of Infrastructure Projects

The Network Planning Group (NPG), has estimated that it could save as much as Rs 15 crore per kilometre for projects managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), reports Mint.

The NPG is part of the PM Gati Shakti (PMGS) initiative aimed at transforming the infrastructure growth in the country, which recently reached its two-year milestone in October.

The projected savings stem from a decrease in road lengths achieved by merging different expressway corridors following alignment modifications for NHAI projects, according to Sumita Dawra.

Sumita Dawra is at the helm of the NPG as the special secretary for the department promoting industry and internal trade.

The official stated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has employed PMGS to conduct ground surveys, manage land records, and finalise highway alignments.

This has led to significant savings in time and costs, and has also reduced the carbon footprint due to the expedited finalisation of alignments.

Since its establishment in October 2021 under the PM Gati Shakti initiative, the NPG, which is one of three institutional mechanisms along with the Empowered Group of Secretaries and Technical Support Unit, has evaluated 119 infrastructure projects valued at $143.26 billion.

Besides concentrating on roads and rail transportation, the NPG has also formulated strategies for planning in the social sector.

These include tools for identifying gaps in the establishment of new hospitals, irrigation schemes, the initiation of new schools, and meeting road connectivity needs.

The National Master Plan under the PM Gati Shakti initiative, is designed to develop coordinated and strategic infrastructure to decrease logistics expenses. Dawra mentioned that the PMGS has prepared over 75 use cases that are set for execution.

The NPG's responsibilities include supplying extensive data to multiple ministries, including — education, railways, road transport and highways, health, power, and shipping. This facilitates more rapid project planning and execution.

In just a single month on NMP, the group has pinpointed 192 railway connectivity projects valued at Rs 5.26 trillion, as well as 156 infrastructure gaps that offer crucial last-mile connectivity to vital export-import gateways.

This financial year has seen 100 of these projects receive approval.