NPG Reviews Rs 506 Billion Rail and Road Projects
25 Jul 2025 CW Team
The 97th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was held to assess five key infrastructure proposals from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Railways (MoR), focusing on multimodal connectivity and improved logistics under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
The projects, including three from MoRTH and two from MoR, comprise both greenfield and brownfield developments and were reviewed for their alignment with GatiShakti principles—such as integrated transport planning, last-mile connectivity, and inter-agency coordination.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Dwarka Tunnel Project
A new 6-lane underground tunnel is proposed to link Nelson Mandela Marg to Gurgaon and Dwarka, integrating the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road (UER-2). It will ease congestion on NH-48, offer alternative access to IGI Airport, and enhance freight and passenger connectivity across South and Central Delhi.
Patna–Purnia Expressway
This Rs 180 billion, 244.93 km, 6-lane greenfield expressway is designed for speeds up to 120 km/h. It will link Patna and Purnia while improving connectivity to Darbhanga and Purnia airports. Passing through six districts, it will boost regional tourism, defence logistics, and industrial access.
Suratgarh–Sri Ganganagar Highway Expansion
This Rs 16 billion brownfield upgrade will widen the 75.55 km NH-62 stretch in Rajasthan to four lanes. Located near India’s western border, the project is critical for defence logistics, interstate trade, and agricultural development between Rajasthan and Punjab.
Ministry of Railways (MoR)
Baddi–Ghanauli New Rail Line
A Rs 19 billion, 25.4 km greenfield line between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab aims to improve multimodal freight and passenger transport. It will enhance connectivity for manufacturing and pharmaceutical hubs in the region.
Doubling of Kanalus–Okha Rail Line
Costing approximately Rs 21 billion, this 141.1 km rail line doubling project will connect industrial and religious centres in Gujarat. It will also strengthen strategic movement near India’s western maritime borders and improve rail freight capacity.
The NPG meeting was chaired by Shri Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). These infrastructure proposals are expected to deliver long-term socio-economic benefits by reducing travel time, boosting defence preparedness, and strengthening economic corridors across the country.