NPG Evaluates Key Infrastructure Projects Under PM GatiShakti

New Delhi: The Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM GatiShakti plan has assessed five major road & infrastructure projects from the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) and ministry of civil aviation (MoCA), including the green-field project of Vrindavan bypass in UP among others. The projects were evaluated for their alignment with the principles of integrated planning outlined in the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), the government said on Friday.

Ahead of state polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand this year and in Delhi early next year, the government is learnt to have ramped up all pending projects on time to boost people’s confidence in the ruling government. “These projects are expected to play pivotal roles in nation building, and provide substantial socio-economic benefits and ease of living, thereby contributing to the overall development of the regions,” an official source said.

However, an official statement issued by the commence ministry also said that the NPG evaluated all five projects from the perspective of the principles of PM GatiShakti— integrated development of multi-modal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, inter-modal connectivity, and synchronised implementation of projects. Keeping this in view, the government on Thursday called its 81st meeting of NPG led by additional secretary of the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT), Rajeev Singh Thakur.

Apart from Vrindavan Bypass project, other four infrastructure projects include Sandalpur-Badi Road in Madhya Pradesh, Junnar-Taleghar Road in Maharashtra, Bhimashankar–Rajgurunagar Road in Maharashtra and development of a new integrated terminal building & allied infrastructure at Budgam in Jammu & Kashmir.

On the evaluation and impacts of these projects, the government said that Vrindavan Bypass in UP, connecting NH-44 to the Yamuna Expressway, would alleviate traffic congestion in Vrindavan by providing a direct route between routes, significantly reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to 15 minutes. “The project is expected to enhance connectivity and stimulate tourism, trade, and industrial growth in the region. Upon completion, it will play a crucial role in improving regional accessibility and fostering socio-economic development,” the ministry said.

A greenfield project in Uttar Pradesh involves the construction of a 16.75 km Vrindavan Bypass, connecting NH-44 to the Yamuna Expressway. This project aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Vrindavan by providing a direct route between NH-44 and Yamuna Expressway, significantly reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to 15 minutes. The project is expected to enhance connectivity and stimulate tourism, trade, and industrial growth in the region. Upon completion, it will play a crucial role in improving regional accessibility and fostering socio-economic development.

“Similarly, a greenfield/brownfield project involving the construction of a 4-lane highway on the Sandalpur-Badi Road, in Madhya Pradesh will improve connectivity between Indore and Jabalpur, promoting smoother traffic flow and alleviating congestion, especially in Bhopal. Also Junnar-Taleghar Road in Maharashtra project will also enhance connectivity between Bhimashankar, Junnar, Bankarphata, and NH-61, enhancing the movement of cargo and passengers, while Bhimashankar–Rajgurunagar project will improve connectivity between Bhimashankar and Rajgurunagar,” it said.

On development of the Budgam project in Jammu & Kashmir, it also said that the construction of a new integrated terminal building and allied infrastructure at Srinagar Airport will accommodate 2,900 peak hours of passenger traffic and an annual capacity of 10 million passengers. “Additional works include the extension of the apron with new parking bays, city-side parking facilities, and the construction of residential quarters for AAI staff and CISF barracks,” it added.