Four projects assessed for multimodal connectivity, logistics efficiency, and economic impact

The 96th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was convened to evaluate key infrastructure proposals in the railway and road transport sectors. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and improving logistics efficiency in alignment with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).

A total of four projects were reviewed—three brownfield railway projects proposed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR) and one greenfield road project proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). These projects were assessed for their alignment with PM GatiShakti’s core objectives of integrated planning, last-mile connectivity, and intermodal coordination. Once implemented, the projects are expected to reduce travel times, boost logistics efficiency, and generate significant socio-economic benefits across regions.

Ministry of Railways (MoR)

1. Asangaon–Kasara 4th Line
   The Ministry of Railways, through Central Railway, has proposed the construction of a fourth railway line between Asangaon and Kasara, covering approximately 34.97 km in Thane district, Maharashtra. The project aims to enhance rail capacity and decongest the existing corridor, critical for both passenger and freight movement. The alignment includes two major bridges, 129 minor bridges, one road overbridge (ROB), and six road underbridges (RUBs). This section forms part of the HDN-2 corridor and serves key industrial hubs including JNPA (97 km), Dighi Port, JSW Dolvi, and warehousing clusters of Amazon, Flipkart, and Adani Logistics.
2. Doubling between Bakhtiyarpur and Tilaiya
   This project involves doubling the 103.528 km railway line from Karnauti to Tilaiya via Rajgir, traversing the districts of Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, and Nawada in Bihar. The alignment passes through major towns such as Bakhtiyarpur, Harnaut, Bihar Sharif, Rajgir, and Hisua. The corridor supports freight movement to the SJVN Chausa power plant and UltraTech Cement plant. It currently handles 28.33 MTPA and is projected to carry an additional 26.02 MTPA by FY 2029–30. The project includes 18 major bridges, 284 minor bridges, four ROBs, and 49 RUBs.
3. Third and Fourth Line between Delhi and Ambala
   The proposal includes construction of third and fourth broad-gauge lines between Delhi and Ambala, covering a total length of 193.60 km. It spans the National Capital Region and Haryana, passing through Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Ambala. The 33-station alignment includes 79 RUBs and two ROBs. The corridor connects with major national highways (NH-44, NH-9, NH-48, NH-344GM, NH-152) and improves access to Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Indira Gandhi International airports. It is expected to benefit agriculture, tourism, and trade while boosting regional economic growth.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)

4. Four-laning of Mokama–Munger Section of NH-80
   The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed the four-laning of an 82.4 km stretch of National Highway-33 from Mokameh Khas (NH-31) to Safiyabad Morcha in Bihar. To be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), this corridor will improve regional connectivity by linking NH-33, NH-31, and SH-18 while ensuring access to key hubs such as Patna, Lakhisarai, and Munger. The project is expected to support the Baruani industrial area and facilitate seamless freight and passenger movement between Patna and Jharkhand. It will also help decongest city routes by diverting commercial vehicles to a high-speed bypass, enhancing safety and reducing travel time.

The meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Shri Pankaj Kumar.

Multimodal connectivity drives evaluation of four transport projects to enhance intermodal coordination and logistics efficiency. The Network Planning Group evaluated three brownfield railway upgrades and one greenfield road widening against PM GatiShakti objectives of integrated planning, intermodal coordination, and last mile connectivity. Rail initiatives include Asangaon-Kasara fourth line (34.97 km), Bakhtiyarpur-Tilaiya doubling (103.528 km), and third/fourth lines between Delhi and Ambala (193.60 km) to increase capacity and freight throughput. The road project proposes four laning Mokama-Munger (82.4 km) under the Hybrid Annuity Model to improve regional connectivity, divert commercial traffic, and support industrial hubs. Projects were assessed for travel time reduction, logistics efficiency, and socio economic impact.