New Delhi: The Network Planning Group (NPG) operating under the PM Gati Shakti initiative has unveiled a groundbreaking strategy, anticipating savings of up to ₹15 crore per kilometer for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects.
The remarkable savings are attributed to a strategic reduction in road length achieved by integrating various expressway corridors. Sumita Dawra, leading the NPG as the special secretary of the department for the promotion of industry and internal trade, emphasized the importance of these modifications in alignment.
Since its establishment in October 2021, the NPG, one of the three institutional mechanisms under the PM Gati Shakti initiative, has assessed 119 infrastructure projects valued at $143.26 billion. Notably, it has recommended improvements for over 200 state logistics infrastructure projects valued at $660 million.
Beyond its focus on roads and rail transport, the NPG has extended its efforts to social sector planning. This includes tools for gap identification in establishing new hospitals, irrigation projects, schools, and addressing road connectivity needs.
The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), launched in 2021, aims to create integrated and planned infrastructure to reduce logistics costs. Dawra highlighted that PMGS has developed more than 75 use-cases ready for implementation.
The NPG’s role involves providing comprehensive data to various ministries, facilitating quicker project planning and implementation. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has already realized the benefits, utilizing PMGS for ground surveys, land records, and highway alignments, resulting in time and cost savings.
Dawra also emphasized efficiency gains in other ministries. For instance, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) can now generate reports for pipeline projects within one day using electronic systems, a stark improvement from the previous 6-9 months required for manual preparation.
The NPG’s contributions extend to railway connectivity projects, identifying 192 projects worth ₹5.26 trillion in just one month on the NMP. Additionally, it has played a crucial role in providing mobile connectivity to approximately 26,000 villages lacking telecom connectivity.
In conclusion, the Network Planning Group’s innovative approaches are not only revolutionizing the construction landscape but are also making a significant impact across various sectors, bringing efficiency and cost-effectiveness to the forefront of India’s infrastructure development.
