PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan – Infrastructure Big Push

Just a couple of days before Dussehra, Prime Minister Modi announced the ambitious Gati Shakti (National Masterplan) for multi-modal connectivity. Apart from de-clogging these infrastructure projects, the PM Gati Shakti also endeavours to adopt a more integrated approach to mission-critical infrastructure projects. “No more silos”, is the message.

The PM Gati Shakti will be integrated in the sense that a total of 16 government departments will be updating and monitoring progress through a standardized dashboard. Some of the key departments with strong infrastructure implications include Railways, Highways, Hydrocarbons, Power, Telecom, Shipping, Aviation, among others.

Here is the gist of the PM Gati Shakti (National Masterplan)

I) A major roadblock for infrastructure projects has been the plethora of approvals leading to delayed clearances. This initiative will ensure single point clearance to all such clogs.

II) The PM Gati Shakti will encompass existing and proposed initiatives of various ministries and departments in one centralised portal and leverage technology to speed up things.

III) As the PM pointed out, there was a huge gap between macro level planning and micro level implementation. That catch will now be addressed by the Masterplan.

IV) Common dashboards to monitor progress of projects with clear accountability at various levels will ensure that projects do not get delayed for very frivolous reasons.

V) As per the latest estimates of ongoing and proposed projects, mega projects worth Rs.110 trillion in the National Infra Pipeline will be monitored under the PM Gati Shakti.

VI) One of the big advantages of this Gati Shakti initiative will be that complex projects like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, UDAN and Inland Waterways can be implemented with minimal time and cost overruns.
 

Project targets that will be fast-tracked under the Gati Shakti

Here are some of the key targets set under the Gati Shakti for diverse infrastructure projects.

I) A total of 11 industrial corridors with defence turnover potential of Rs.170,000 crore as well as 38 electronics clusters and 109 pharma clusters will be fast-tracked by 2024-25.

II) A total of 200,000 KM of national highways and 5,590 KM of 4/6 lane highways along coastal areas to be fast tracked by 2024-25. This includes full North East connectivity. 

III) Railways to handle 32% higher cargo of 1,600 million tonnes, decongesting half the Railway network and completing 2 Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) by 2024-25.

IV) Enhancing the aviation footprint from the current 111 airports to 220 airports by 2024-25. Shipping cargo capacity to be enhanced by 37% to 1,759 MMTPA by 2024-25. 

V) Gas pipeline network to be doubled from 17,000 KM to 34,500 KM by 2024-25 with focus on connecting major demand and supply points. Renewable energy capacity to be enhanced from 87 GW to 225 GW by 2024-25.

The crux of the story is that this infrastructure push will not only create millions of additional jobs and orders for MSMEs, but also reduce the cost of doing business in India. In the process, it will improve India’s competitiveness in global trade.