Issues in projects worth over INR 10,000 crore reviewed in Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana

Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia chaired a high-level meeting to review key issues affecting mega infrastructure projects in the States of Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana. The meeting was attended by senior officials from Central Ministries, State Governments and project proponents, and focused on expediting issue resolution through enhanced inter-ministerial and State coordination facilitated by the Project Monitoring Group (PMG).

In Karnataka, 05 issues across 05 significant projects with a total project cost of INR 3,658 crore were reviewed. In Kerala, 02 issues across 02 projects amounting to INR 5,002 crore were examined, while in Telangana, 06 issues across 03 projects with a cumulative cost of INR 1,934 crore were discussed.

The Trivandrum–Kanyakumari railway line doubling project, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu, was among the key projects reviewed. With an estimated cost of INR 3,785 crore, the project aims to double the existing single-line track to reduce travel time, enhance train frequency, and improve passenger and freight movement across the region. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly strengthen regional connectivity, ease road congestion, and promote tourism and local economic activity. Challenges related to land acquisition, environmental clearances and localized resistance were highlighted, and concerned authorities were advised to expedite their resolution to ensure timely execution and maximize socio-economic benefits.

The 5G/4G network expansion initiative of Reliance Jio was also reviewed. Discussions with the Government of Telangana focused on early resolution of pending forest and wildlife clearance matters. The project aims to extend 5G mobile connectivity to uncovered and remote regions across the country, while simultaneously strengthening the existing 4G infrastructure. Once implemented, the initiative is expected to substantially improve digital connectivity nationwide, including in strategically sensitive and geographically remote areas, thereby advancing the Government’s vision of a digitally empowered India.

The Secretary, DPIIT reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the institutional framework for project monitoring and directed the concerned authorities to adopt a proactive approach in addressing pending issues. He also emphasized the importance of private proponents leveraging the specialized mechanism of the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) (https://pmg.dpiit.gov.in/) to expedite project implementation and ensure timely resolution of concerns through collaboration among the Central Government, State Governments and private stakeholders.

Project monitoring: DPIIT directs expedited resolution of land, environmental and forest clearances to accelerate mega infrastructure projects. Directed strengthening of the institutional project monitoring mechanism through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to expedite resolution of implementation impediments for mega infrastructure projects. Central and State authorities and private proponents were instructed to prioritise coordinated action to resolve land acquisition, environmental, and forest and wildlife clearance issues impeding projects such as the Trivandrum-Kanyakumari railway doubling and telecommunications network expansion.