The Government will soon finalize the guidelines for National Master Plan’s release in public domain. Chairing the 27th session of the Network Planning Group (NPG) of GatiShakti in New Delhi on 19th July, 2022, Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistic Division), DPIIT said that the National Master Plan will provide the public and business community information regarding the upcoming connectivity projects, other business hubs, and industrial areas and surrounding environment. This will enable investors to plan their businesses at suitable locations leading to enhanced synergies, He added.
The Network Planning Group (NPG) saw active participation from member ministries/departments including DoT, MoEF&CC, MoR, MoPSW, MoCA, MoP, Niti Ayog, MoRTH, MoPNG. The forum saw senior officials from these ministries deliberate on various agendas on logistic capacities and PM GatiShakti.
The Special Secretary shared that the National Master Plan has more than 900 data layers of Central Ministries/Departments and 316 essential layers by States/Uts. Applauding the progress of special NPG meetings held before, Shri Meena highlighted that 13 key connectivity requirement to coal mines and to 30 silo hubs were identified. He expressed that the PM GatiShakti is now in mission mode to fill these gaps.
During the meeting, 3 pipeline projects by the MoPNG, 2 connectivity infrastructure projects by the MoRTH and a new rail line project by MoR were deliberated upon. The meeting saw many aspects being discussed such as alignment proposal and alternatives, cost of project, expected logistics cost reduction and no. of projected employment opportunities.
During the meeting, MoRTH shared that construction of 6 lane Elevated Corridor along with development of the existing 4 lane road at ground level from Aroor to Thuravoor has been underway in the State of Kerela. The existing NH-66 stretch is said to have habitation with 4 major & minor junction. Therefore, the speed limit for the stretch had been kept only upto 40 kmph. The elevated road is expected to increase travelling speed upto 100 kmph and reduce travelling time by 11 minutes.
Another new 6 lane Extra Dosed Cable Bridge on River Ganga Parallel to the Western side of Existing Digha-Sonepur Rail-Cum Road Bridge at Patna, Bihar, is underway. The project is expected to provide better connectivity, speed and reduce travelling time by about 1.5 – 2 hours between North and South Bihar. The proposed road will directly connect many cultural sites like the Buddha Stupa in Kesariya, Someshwar Nath Mandir in East Champaran, Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran and borders with Nepal. This will help promote various avenues of economic development, cultural interaction and tourism.