54th Network Planning Group Meeting Recommends Four Major Infrastructure Projects
File Photo
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, August 24, 2023: The 54th Network Planning Group (NPG) convened under the chairmanship of Smt. Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), concluded its session yesterday in New Delhi. Distinguished representatives from key ministries including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Power actively participated in the event. The meeting centered around evaluating crucial infrastructure projects, resulting in the assessment of two roadways ventures and two railways undertakings, collectively amounting to over Rs. 7600 crore.
Underlining the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to infrastructure planning and execution, Smt. Dawra emphasized the significance of leveraging the GatiShakti National Master Plan portal. She stressed the critical role these projects play in establishing connectivity to pivotal economic and social hubs within the respective areas, further endorsing the adoption of an Area Development Approach.
One of the projects examined by the NPG was the four-lane Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR) situated in Kerala, valued at Rs. 4,767.20 crore and falling within the ambit of the Bharatmala Pariyojana. Integral to the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor, this initiative holds paramount importance in ensuring seamless and expeditious connectivity between the Eastern and Northern Regions. Besides enhancing economic growth in economically disadvantaged areas, the project is projected to curtail travel time, reduce vehicle operational costs, and furnish last-mile connectivity to the newly established international sea port in Vizhinjam.
Additionally, the NPG assessed the Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi Corridor, an essential road project with an allocated budget of Rs. 1,179.33 crore. This corridor, originating at the intersection of the new Vadodara-Delhi Expressway and concluding at the post Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway, assumes strategic importance as a linkage to Bodeli, Devaliya, Rajpipla, Netrang, Vyara, Dharampur, Vapi, and onwards to Mumbai through the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway currently under construction. The project’s anticipated outcomes include an improved road network, reduced travel time and distance, lower transportation costs, and a boost to socio-economic development and tourism along its route.
The NPG’s discussions extended to the realm of railways, with deliberations focused on a proposed broad gauge railway line between Pushkar and Merta in Rajasthan. This ambitious venture, projected to cost Rs. 799.64 crore, holds the potential to directly link Central India with the Northern and Western borders. In addition to this, the new line is expected to alleviate pressure on highways by offering a more efficient means of transportation.
Another prominent rail project examined was the Merta City-Ras Railway Stations broad-gauge line in Rajasthan, valued at Rs. 947 crore. This initiative assumes a crucial role in facilitating the rapid movement of goods and catalyzing industrial and comprehensive development across the Pali and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan.
The NPG’s recommendations mark a substantial step forward in propelling India’s infrastructure landscape toward progress and connectivity. With these initiatives, the nation is set to witness enhanced economic growth, reduced travel times, and augmented accessibility, firmly establishing its position as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
