105th NPG Meeting Reviews Rail and Road Projects to Boost Logistics Efficiency under PM GatiShakti

New Delhi : The 105th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was convened on Friday to review key infrastructure proposals aimed at enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).

The NPG evaluated seven rail projects proposed by the Ministry of Railways and one road project proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The projects were assessed for conformity with PM GatiShakti principles, including integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and a ‘Whole of Government’ approach. These initiatives are expected to reduce travel time, lower logistics costs, and deliver significant socio-economic benefits to their respective regions.

Among the rail proposals, the Ministry of Railways presented projects for the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Arakkonam–Renigunta, Guntakal–Bellary, Guntakal–Wadi, Yadadri–Kazipet, and Ghatkesar–Yadadri, as well as track doubling works on the Erode–Karur and Salem–Karur–Dindigul sections. These corridors traverse Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra and are critical for handling growing passenger and freight traffic.

The projects are designed to ease congestion on high-density routes, improve punctuality, and support the transportation of key commodities such as coal, cement, steel, agricultural produce, and industrial goods. Several corridors form part of major freight networks, including Mission 3000 MT, Amrit Chaturbhuj, and the Mumbai–Chennai High-Density Network, strengthening India’s rail-based logistics backbone.

A notable proposal includes the electrified multi-tracking railway line between Talegaon and Uruli in Pune district, which will serve major industrial and logistics hubs and integrate with upcoming railway terminals, highways, and airports to improve operational efficiency.

In the road sector, the NPG reviewed the proposal for upgradation of NH-544D from Vinukonda to Guntur, terminating at the Amaravati Outer Ring Road in Andhra Pradesh. The project involves widening the existing two-lane highway to a four-lane corridor with paved shoulders over a length of approximately 85.9 km. Once completed, it is expected to reduce travel time by nearly 52 per cent, lower logistics costs, and strengthen connectivity between key urban centres including Guntur, Vijayawada, Narasaraopeta, and the upcoming capital city of Amaravati.

The meeting was chaired by the Joint Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The reviewed projects collectively aim to support industrial growth, regional development, employment generation, and efficient movement of goods and passengers across the country.