Network Planning Group evaluates eight major road, railway, and metro projects to enhance national connectivity
India’s ambitious infrastructure development agenda took a significant step forward as the Network Planning Group (NPG) convened its 89th meeting to evaluate eight key projects spanning road, railway, and metro sectors.
The high-level meeting, chaired by Joint Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Pankaj Kumar, focused on implementing the principles of integrated infrastructure planning under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s GatiShakti National Master Plan.
The March 14 meeting assessed projects with a combined potential to transform connectivity across multiple states, particularly in the strategically important Northeast region.
These infrastructure initiatives aim to reduce travel times, enhance logistics efficiency, and deliver substantial economic benefits to underserved regions.
Breaking New Ground: India’s First Underwater Tunnel
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) presented four significant projects, with the most revolutionary being India’s first-ever road tunnel beneath a major river.
This groundbreaking four-lane tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh, dramatically reducing travel time from 6.5 hours to just 30 minutes and shortening the distance from 240 km to just 34 km.
“This twin-tube unidirectional underwater tunnel represents a remarkable engineering achievement that will revolutionize connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and other northeastern states,” noted a senior official familiar with the project.
Enhancing Regional Connectivity Across States
Other road projects evaluated include:
- A two-lane highway with paved shoulders spanning 136.11 km from Darugiri to Dalu in Meghalaya, enhancing regional connectivity across East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, and West Garo Hills while facilitating cross-border trade
- The widening of the existing Kaliabor-Numaligarh section in Assam from two lanes to four lanes, covering 85.67 km across three districts and incorporating wildlife-friendly features like elevated corridors to protect Kaziranga National Park
- Construction and upgradation of a 138.177 km stretch from Mayjilar to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, including a bypass link road, to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, and facilitate defense movements
Railway Expansion to Ease Congestion
The Ministry of Railways presented three strategic projects aimed at alleviating congestion and enhancing freight capacity in key corridors:
- The Badlapur-Karjat third and fourth line expansion spanning 32.46 km will address increasing passenger and freight congestion along the Mumbai-Chennai corridor, benefiting multiple commuter towns including Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri, and Karjat
- A 15.99 km fourth line from Nergundi to Cuttack in Odisha, complete with a flyover at Nergundi, designed to decongest existing rail infrastructure and facilitate freight movement serving Paradip Port and major industrial clusters
- The doubling of the 74.09 km line from Haridaspur to Paradip in Odisha to enhance freight transportation capacity, particularly for coal from Talcher Coalfields to Paradip Port
Urban Mobility Solutions
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs presented the Rajkot Metro Rail Project, a comprehensive 41.11 km greenfield urban transport initiative in Gujarat. The project aims to reduce congestion in the rapidly growing city while providing sustainable transportation alternatives.
“The Rajkot Metro has been designed to integrate seamlessly with existing urban infrastructure, ensuring multimodal connectivity with regional rail, city bus services, and intermediate public transport options,” explained an official from the ministry.
Integrated Planning: The GatiShakti Approach
All projects were evaluated according to PM GatiShakti principles, which emphasize integrated planning of multimodal infrastructure, enhanced last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and effective intermodal coordination.
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, represents a transformative approach to infrastructure development by breaking down silos between different government departments and enabling coordinated planning.
“These infrastructure projects will not only enhance connectivity but also trigger economic growth across regions,” said Joint Secretary Pankaj Kumar. “By applying the PM GatiShakti framework, we ensure that these investments deliver maximum socio-economic benefits while optimizing resources.”
To Summarize
The approved projects demonstrate India’s commitment to developing world-class infrastructure that supports its vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy.
By improving logistics efficiency, these initiatives are expected to reduce transportation costs, enhance export competitiveness, and create new opportunities in previously underserved regions.
Industry experts have welcomed these developments, noting that improved connectivity, particularly in the Northeast and coastal areas, will strengthen supply chains and encourage new industrial investments in these regions.
Sources: Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
