Network Planning Group Under PM GatiShakti Reviews Key Multimodal Infrastructure Projects

New Delhi — The 92nd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG), held under the aegis of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, convened in the national capital to evaluate critical infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing multimodal connectivity and regional logistics efficiency. The session underscored the government’s continued emphasis on coordinated infrastructure planning to drive sustainable economic development and seamless intermodal integration.

Chaired by Shri Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the meeting assessed four major infrastructure proposals — one from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and three from the Ministry of Railways (MoR). These projects were appraised for their alignment with the core tenets of PM GatiShakti: integrated planning, last-mile connectivity, and a whole-of-government, whole-of-area development approach.

Highway Infrastructure: Rishikesh Bypass to Decongest Religious and Industrial Corridor

MoRTH, through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has proposed a Six/Four Lane Access-Controlled Highway — a bypass around Rishikesh designed to alleviate urban congestion and streamline vehicular movement along National Highway-34. This corridor is vital, connecting Delhi with key cities such as Meerut, Roorkee, Haridwar, and Badrinath. The proposed infrastructure will also strengthen links to strategic defense-sensitive areas, including the international border points at Mana, Nelang, and Niti.

The planned bypass includes a 6/4-lane elevated corridor coupled with an additional 4-lane highway, facilitating future traffic loads and offering alternative travel routes. The project is poised to significantly improve urban mobility and regional logistics, while safeguarding the religious tourism ecosystem that Rishikesh and surrounding towns support.

Railway Sector: Strategic multi-tracking to Boost Freight Movement and Reduce Transit Time

The Ministry of Railways presented three major multi-tracking railway projects critical for optimizing freight corridors and enhancing transport capacity across high-density sectors:

1. Bina–Itarsi Fourth Railway Line (236.97 km)

   This additional rail line is set to bolster connectivity across Madhya Pradesh, traversing Narmadapuram, Bhopal, and Vidisha. With 32 stations included along the alignment, the project aims to reduce average transit time by 46 minutes and improve sectional speeds by 10 km/h. Enhanced line capacity will directly support agricultural and industrial freight movement in central India.

2. Kasara–Manmad Multi-Tracking Project (3rd & 4th Lines, 2x130.817 km)

   Designed to eliminate the need for energy-intensive banking locomotives, this project maintains a ruling gradient of 1 in 100 across the steep Northeastern Ghats. The improved alignment merges with the mainline at Lahavit station, enabling seamless freight flow from the Deccan Plateau to the northern industrial hubs.

3. Bhusawal–Wardha 3rd & 4th Lines (314 km)

   Passing through five key districts in Maharashtra — Jalgaon, Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, and Wardha — this dual-line project is part of the Mumbai–Howrah high-density corridor (HDN-2). It will include new tracks, yard reconfigurations, upgraded signaling systems, and station enhancements, serving as a major thrust to decongest one of India’s busiest freight routes.

   
   

Integrated Planning Under GatiShakti: A National Vision for Infrastructure Synergy

Each of the projects reviewed reflects the GatiShakti National Master Plan’s vision of breaking departmental silos and fostering integrated infrastructure development. By leveraging geospatial data layers, multi-agency coordination, and data-driven analysis through the PM GatiShakti portal, the Network Planning Group continues to anchor national infrastructure efforts on scientific planning and long-term economic impact.

These initiatives collectively signal a proactive, coordinated push toward India’s goal of creating efficient transport corridors that not only meet the current demand but also anticipate future economic and urban growth.

GatiShakti, Multimodal, Infrastructure Projects