NPG assesses three roadways and two railways projects

The 67^th meeting of Network Planning Group (NPG) was held on 12 March 2024 in New Delhi, under the chairpersonship of Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Sh. Rajeev Singh Thakur, to evaluate three projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and two projects from the Ministry of Railways (MoR).

The meeting participants include NPG members who lead the network planning divisions in their respective infrastructure Ministries. The focus of the discussions revolved around integrated planning of network infrastructure aligned with the principles of PM GatiShakti for comprehensive regional socio-economic advancement. Attendees also included officials from Infrastructure Ministries and representatives from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam where the projects are slated for implementation.

Multimodal Logistics park in Maharashtra and Highway projects in the Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar

The first project from MoRTH relates to the Development of the Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Pune in the State of Maharashtra through Public Private Partnership on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The MMLP will act as a freight aggregation and disaggregation centre to enable freight movement on more efficient modes, such as higher sized trucks and rail thereby improving the efficiency of freight movement and reducing logistics cost in the country.

The second project pertains to widening the NH-334D section from Aligarh to Palwal to a 4-lane configuration. It aims to improve connectivity between Aligarh and Palwal districts, particularly benefiting traffic towards Jewar airport and providing a better connectivity with Delhi-Mumbai expressway. The project encompasses major bridges, minor bridges, railway crossings, service roads, toll plaza, truck lay bay, and various other features, to enhance the movement of freight and people.

The third project involves construction of a 4 Lane Elevated corridor on Anishabad – Aurangabad – Hariharganj Road in the state of Bihar. This project on NH-139 aims to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing 4-lane road connecting Patna city's key areas, including AIIMS. The proposed elevated corridor, spanning 9 kms includes a flyover of 8.3 kms, features a 4-lane at-grade road with footpath, drain, and utility corridor, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow.

New Broad Gauge (BG) line between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and doubling of line in Bihar

The New BG Line project stands out as a Greenfield initiative, covering 218 km across Dumduma (Assam) to Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) via. Parasuramkund. The project holds strategic importance as it will enhance regional connectivity by bridging the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra River. It is set to spur economic and social development in Assam's Tinsukia district and Arunachal Pradesh's Namsai, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, and Lohit districts. The project is expected to ease passenger and freight movement in the region.

The doubling of the 255 kms Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga & Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur railway section, under East Central Railway, will enhance the section capacity and serve as an alternative route from Delhi to Guwahati. Doubling of this section will increase the revenue from freight/passenger traffic along with reduction in transit through the region.

These projects are intended to contribute to nation-building by integrating various modes of transport, offer substantial socio-economic benefits and will contribute to the overall development of the regions.

Integrated network planning under PM GatiShakti advances multimodal projects to boost connectivity and freight efficiency nationwide. Evaluation under PM GatiShakti considered three highway projects and two railway projects focusing on integrated network planning, multimodal connectivity, and logistics efficiency. Key measures include a Multi Modal Logistics Park at Pune on DBFOT to aggregate freight and shift traffic to efficient modes; widening NH 334D to four lanes to improve airport and expressway connectivity; an elevated 4 lane corridor on NH 139 to ease urban congestion; a Greenfield broad gauge rail line linking Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to boost regional development; and doubling a Bihar rail section to increase capacity and offer an alternative route.