It has been 6 months since the Center announced the onset of Gati Shakti Masterplan back in October 2021. While the Masterplan entails various projects to address the issue of multi-modal and last mile connectivities, it also aims at a holistic and integrated development of the economy. However, a recent review revealed infrastructural gaps in 130 critical projects being undertaken as part of the Masterplan.
The Steel and Coal ministries identified 13 and 38 projects, respectively. While the Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways recognised 80 projects. Port-Road linkages need to be worked upon at Machilipatnam Port, Mundra and Dahej ports, Keni-Belekeri port along with links to Malpe, Padubidri and Hangarkatta.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways along with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are the implementing agencies for these projects. They are now supposed to conduct talks with the Network Planning Group under the Gati Shakti group to fast-track the execution of the concerned initiatives.
The overall objective is to reduce delays, cost and time overruns to expedite India’s progress towards achieving a $5 trillion economy.
