NPG evaluates 5 major infrastructure projects to strengthen multimodal connectivity

The 97th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was held under the chairmanship of Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), to assess major infrastructure proposals from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Railways (MoR).

A total of five projects—three from MoRTH and two from MoR—were reviewed for alignment with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, which aims to strengthen multimodal connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, and ensure integrated infrastructure planning, according to information shared by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Projects from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways included Dwarka Tunnel (Delhi), Patna–Purnia Expressway (Bihar), Suratgarh–Sri Ganganagar NH-62 Upgradation (Rajasthan), Baddi–Ghanauli New Rail Line (Himachal Pradesh–Punjab), and Doubling of Kanalus–Okha Rail Line (Gujarat).

The Dwarka Tunnel in Delhi is a proposed 6-lane underground tunnel to link Nelson Mandela Marg with Gurgaon and Dwarka, integrating NH-8 with Dwarka Expressway and UER-2. The project is expected to decongest NH-48, enhance access to IGI Airport, and improve urban freight and passenger movement across Delhi.

Patna–Purnia Expressway is a greenfield 244.93 km 6-lane expressway designed for high-speed travel (120 km/h), connecting Patna with Purnia while integrating air and road networks through proximity to Darbhanga and Purnia airports. The expressway will facilitate regional development, tourism, and defense connectivity.

The Suratgarh–Sri Ganganagar NH-62 Upgradation in Rajasthan is a brownfield project to widen 75.55 km of NH-62 from two to four lanes. Located near the western border, the route is vital for defense logistics and will boost interstate connectivity, agri-industrial growth, and rural development in Rajasthan and Punjab.

Further, the projects from the Ministry of Railways included Baddi–Ghanauli New Rail Line in Himachal Pradesh–Punjab and doubling of Kanalus–Okha Rail Line in Gujarat.

The Baddi–Ghanauli New Rail Line is a 25.396 km greenfield rail line to strengthen connectivity in an industrial belt known for pharmaceutical and manufacturing units. It is expected to support freight movement and enhance regional logistics efficiency.