The 78^th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti initiative was convened in New Delhi, chaired by Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur. The meeting focused on evaluating eighteen crucial road infrastructure projects proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). These projects, across various states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar, align with the principles of integrated planning outlined in the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).

Projects in Tamil Nadu and Kerala

Madurai-Kollam ICR (Two Projects): This alignment is developed in two distinct projects as the road corridor is passing along two states i.e., Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This 4-lane corridor spans 129.92Km (68.30 km in Tamil Nadu and 61.62 km in Kerala). These two projects aim to reduce travel distance and enhance connectivity between major economic hubs, directly benefiting industries and local economies. The corridor is expected to reduce travel distance by 10 km and double the average speed, which will significantly boost freight movement and reduce travel times.

Madurai-Dhanushkodi Highway: This 46.67 km 4-lane stretch focuses on improving connectivity to major religious and tourist destinations and enhancing economic activities in the region.

Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry Corridor: This 46.05 km 4-lane project aimsto enhance the connectivity of coastal areas with economic corridors, crucial for boosting tourism and local industries.

Improving the Alignment of Thoppur Ghat Section: A 6.60 km high capacity 8-lane road project in the hilly terrain in Tamil Nadu focuses on enhancing the safety and efficiency of a critical section known for traffic congestion.

Projects in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh

Belagavi Ring Road (NH848R): This 4-lane road spanning 75.39 km, aims to decongest urban traffic, reduce travel times, and enhance the connectivity of industrial hubs in Karnataka.

Tumkur Bypass: A 4-lane strategic bypass highway of 44.10 km aims to streamline traffic flow around Tumkur city, reduce congestion and enhance logistics efficiency.

Bhopal-Sagar Economic Corridor: A 4-lane 138.00 km road corridor designed to facilitate seamless connectivity across central Madhya Pradesh, supporting economic development.

Western Bypass of Gwalior City: This 4-lane 56.90 km bypass aims to improve urban mobility and reduce congestion in Gwalior, enhancing the region’s economic prospects.

Ayodhya Nagar Bypass: A 6-lane 16.44 km bypass designed to enhance connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Projects in Maharashtra and Telangana

Ahmednagar-Solapur Corridor: A 4-lane 59.22 km road project aimed at improving connectivity in Maharashtra, supporting regional industrial growth.

Talegaon-Chakan–Shikrapur Corridor: A 4-lane 54.00 km road project expected to streamline freight movement, benefiting industrial zones near Pune.

Jagtial-Karimnagar Highways: This 4-lane road project in Telangana, covering a total of 58.87 km, is critical for enhancing state connectivity and supporting economic activities.

Armoor-Jagtial-Mancherial Highway: This 4-lane 131.90 km road project extending the high-speed corridor of Jagtial-Karimnagar Highways in Telangana will enhance connectivity within the state and improve access to major markets and economic hubs.

Projects in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar

Badvel-Nellore Corridor: This 4-lane highway spanning 108.13 km in Andhra Pradesh, this project will enhance connectivity between agricultural regions and markets, boosting the Agri-economy.

Sambalpur Ring Road: This 4-lane road projects in Odisha admeasuring 35.38 km, is essential for reducing congestion and supporting industrial growth near economic nodes and the key ports in the region.

Cuttack Paradip Corridor: This 4-lane highway spanning 86.79 km in Odisha is a critical connection for the economic nodes to the Paradip port, which also connects to the other high-capacity highways will play an important role in the socio-economic development of the region.

Bakarpur-Manikpur-Sahebgunj-Areraj-Bettiah Highway: A 4-lane 162.95 km greenfield road project in Bihar is focused on improving access to economic opportunities in densely populated regions.

The NPG evaluated all eighteenprojects based on the principles of PM GatiShakti: integrated development of multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, intermodal connectivity, and synchronized implementation. These projects are anticipated to play pivotal roles in nation-building by integrating various modes of transport and providing substantial socio-economic benefits, thereby contributing to the overall development of the regions.

Integrated multimodal planning advances road corridors and bypasses to improve connectivity, decongest cities, and streamline freight movement. The Network Planning Group reviewed eighteen road projects under PM GatiShakti to advance integrated multimodal development, last-mile and intermodal connectivity, and synchronized implementation. The proposals-comprising corridor upgrades, bypasses, ring roads and greenfield alignments-seek to reduce travel distances, relieve urban congestion, enhance freight movement, and improve access to economic nodes, ports, tourist destinations, and agricultural markets through capacity augmentation and alignment rationalization.