The 81st meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti initiative was held on Thursday. The meeting focused on assessing five significant infrastructure projects proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
The evaluation centered on the alignment of these projects with the integrated planning principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP). The projects under review are expected to enhance connectivity, promote socio-economic development, and ease transportation challenges across various regions.
Vrindavan Bypass, Uttar Pradesh
The proposed 16.75 km greenfield Vrindavan Bypass aims to connect NH-44 to the Yamuna Expressway, significantly reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to just 15 minutes. This project is anticipated to alleviate traffic congestion in Vrindavan, enhancing accessibility for tourists and boosting local trade and industry.
Sandalpur-Badi Road, Madhya Pradesh
This 142.26 km project involves the construction of a 4-lane highway on the Sandalpur-Badi Road, part of NH-146B. It seeks to improve connectivity between Indore and Jabalpur, thereby facilitating smoother traffic flow and reducing congestion, particularly in Bhopal. The route will serve as a vital link connecting several National Highways and economic hubs.
Junnar-Taleghar Road, Maharashtra
The brownfield upgrade of a 55.94 km stretch from Junnar to Taleghar is designed to enhance connectivity between key locations including Bhimashankar and Junnar. This improvement is expected to promote tourism and facilitate the movement of cargo and passengers, particularly benefiting the significant pilgrimage center of Bhimashankar.
Bhimashankar – Rajgurunagar Road, Maharashtra
This project focuses on upgrading 60.45 km of road infrastructure in Pune, facilitating improved connectivity between Bhimashankar and Rajgurunagar. The enhancements are projected to stimulate economic activities and improve access to education and healthcare for remote communities, ultimately benefiting commuters and local businesses.
New Integrated Terminal Building, Budgam, Jammu & Kashmir
Aiming to expand the Srinagar Airport, this brownfield project will involve the construction of a new terminal building with a capacity for 10 million passengers annually. The development will also include new parking bays, city-side parking facilities, and accommodations for airport staff, significantly upgrading the region’s aviation infrastructure.
The NPG evaluated these projects through the lens of PM GatiShakti’s principles, emphasizing multimodal infrastructure development, last-mile connectivity, and synchronized project implementation.