The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
Photo: IANS
The 109th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was held on Wednesday at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to evaluate key infrastructure projects.
The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
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The NPG evaluated two rail projects, one metro project, and one airport project for their conformity with the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and the “whole-of-government” approach, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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These initiatives are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel time, and deliver significant socio-economic benefits to the project catchment areas.
Among the rail proposals, the Ministry of Railways presented a plan for a third railway line between Jalandhar Cantt and Jammu Tawi.
The 210.750-km project, spanning Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, will include 27 stations and pass through districts such as Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kangra, Pathankot, Kathua, and Samba.
The project is aimed at augmenting rail capacity and strengthening connectivity along a strategically critical corridor.
According to the official release, the corridor holds strategic, economic, and social significance, enabling faster movement of defence personnel and supplies to border areas while improving transportation of agricultural produce, construction materials, and essential goods.
The NPG also evaluated a proposed third railway line between Manikpur and Itarsi, covering 518.532 km across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
The alignment will pass through districts including Chitrakoot, Satna, Maihar, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, and Narmadapuram. The project is expected to enhance operational capacity, improve network resilience, and reduce congestion on a key corridor linking northern and central India.
In the civil aviation sector, the Ministry of Civil Aviation proposed the development of a Greenfield airport at Doloo in Silchar, Assam, located adjacent to NH-27.
The project aims to address capacity constraints at the existing civil enclave and meet the growing regional demand for air travel. Once operational, the airport is expected to boost trade, tourism, and business activity in Cachar district and surrounding areas.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) also presented a proposal for the extension of Surat Metro Corridor II (Phase I) from Saroli to the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.
The 4.4-km elevated extension will include three stations, with provisions for two future stations. It is designed to provide seamless last-mile connectivity and strengthen Surat’s integration with regional and national transport networks.
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