41st session of the Network Planning Group (NPG) held in New Delhi 

NPG evaluates three projects; recommends all three for implementation with suggestions to address last mile connectivity and achieving the right multimodal logistics share

The Network Planning Group (NPG) held its 41st session in New Delhi. Chaired by the Special Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the meeting saw active participation of senior officials from key member ministries/departments including, DoT, MoEF&CC, M/o Railways, MoPSW, MoCA, M/o Power, Niti Aayog, MoRTH and MoPNG. 

The meeting saw deliberations on a 4 Lane Accessed Controlled Greenfield Highway as part of the Nagpur-Vijaywada corridor and new rail connectivity projects connecting Barejadi Nandej to Sanand in Gujarat, and Barbil, Barsuan and Nayagrah in Odisha. 

Senior officials from the MoRTH shared that the 4 Lane Accessed Controlled Greenfield Highway, covering a distance of 306 kms, will connect Mancherial to Vijawada. The project proposed will improve connectivity to 21 economic nodes such as Mega Food Parks, Fishing Seafood Clusters, Pharma and Medical Clusters, SEZs and Textile Clusters across the 11 districts and more than 27 social nodes across 3 States. The proposed alignment of the highway is also estimated increase average speed from 40 kmph to 80 kmph, reduce travel time from 17 hours to 8 hours and create 11.9 crore employment opportunties after completion. 

During the deliberations of the Barejadi Nandej to Sanand railway project, it was observed by the NPG that the Ahmedabad Station has been one of the busiest stations on the Western Railway Corridor for freight movement between the Viramgam-Sabaramati-Ahmedabad-Geratpur sections. Therefore to achieve overall operational efficiency, the construction of a 4th line connecting was felt essential. Senior officials from the M/o Railways shared that this 4th Line would feature two new stations in Barejadi Nandej to Sanand and detour all freight trains to this route while bypassing the Ahmedabad section. The connectivity to economic nodes in the proposed alignment will help in increasing freight transportation of cement and chemicals which are largely produced in this part of the country. 

During the meeting, senior officials from the M/o Railways shared that the proposed Barbil-Barsuan-Nayagarh Railway line, covering a distance of 181 kms, will connect major iron mines in the region and boost trade in steel plans of Eastern India. The proposed alignment will see 15 new stations being built in the vicinity of major mining sights such as Sundergarh and Keonjhar. With connectivity to major rail networks such as Tata, Dhamra, Bokaro and eastern ports such as Vishakapatnam and Paradip, it is estimated that the project will see an increase in about 37% traffic in the first 5 years itself. 

All three projects were evaluated by the NPG and recommended for implementation with certain suggestions to address last mile connectivity and achieving the right multimodal logistics share. These include intermodal infrastructure, creation of multi-modal logistics park facilities and other terminal infrastructure related to railways and roadways.

Infrastructure project recommendation advances three transport corridors with guidance to secure last mile connectivity and multimodal logistics integration. The Network Planning Group recommended implementation of three transport projects: a 4 lane accessed controlled Greenfield highway linking multiple economic and social nodes and improving travel speeds; a fourth rail line with two new stations between Barejadi Nandej and Sanand to divert freight around a congested corridor; and a Barbil-Barsuan-Nayagarh rail line connecting iron mining areas to major rail networks and eastern ports. Recommendations condition implementation on measures to secure last mile connectivity and achieve appropriate multimodal logistics integration through intermodal infrastructure, multi modal logistics parks, and related terminal facilities.