Centre Fast-Tracks Eight Key Infra Projects Under PM GatiShakti

19 Mar 2025 CW Team

In the road sector, four projects were evaluated. The first involves upgrading the 136.11 km Darugiri-Dalu stretch of NH-62 (New NH-217) in Meghalaya to a two-lane highway, improving connectivity across East, South, and West Garo Hills and boosting cross-border trade. The second project is India’s first road tunnel under a major river, a four-lane tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra, connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. This will cut travel time from 6.5 hours to just 30 minutes and reduce the journey distance from 240 km to 34 km, enhancing connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The third project focuses on widening the Kaliabor-Numaligarh highway in Assam to four lanes, spanning 85.67 km and incorporating wildlife-friendly infrastructure near Kaziranga National Park. The fourth initiative is a two-lane highway from Mayjilar to Jaisalmer, including a bypass for Jaisalmer, covering 138.177 km. This project is expected to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, support defence movement, and enhance road safety in Rajasthan.

In the railway sector, three projects were assessed. The first involves expanding the third and fourth rail lines on the 32.46 km Badlapur-Karjat route to ease congestion on the busy Mumbai-Pune-Solapur-Wadi-Chennai corridor. The second project will add a fourth rail line between Nergundi and Cuttack in Odisha, along with a flyover at Nergundi, to streamline freight transport for Paradip Port and Talcher coalfields. The third project will build a 74.09 km double rail line from Haridaspur to Paradip, boosting coal transportation and industrial logistics in Odisha’s Angul-Jharsuguda region.

The Rajkot Metro Rail Project was also reviewed. Spanning 41.11 km, this greenfield initiative in Gujarat aims to decongest urban traffic and integrate seamlessly with regional rail, bus, and public transport networks.

These fast-tracked projects are set to enhance connectivity, economic development, and logistical efficiency across key regions, aligning with India’s long-term infrastructure vision.

(English Matrubhoomi)

The Network Planning Group (NPG), in its 89th meeting, reviewed eight major infrastructure projects in the road, railway, and metro sectors to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on Friday that these projects aim to improve transport networks, reduce travel time, and drive economic growth across various regions. In the road sector, four projects were evaluated. The first involves upgrading the 136.11 km Darugiri-Dalu stretch of NH-62 (New NH-217) in Meghalaya to a two-lane highway, improving connectivity across East, South, and West Garo Hills and boosting cross-border trade. The second project is India’s first road tunnel under a major river, a four-lane tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra, connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. This will cut travel time from 6.5 hours to just 30 minutes and reduce the journey distance from 240 km to 34 km, enhancing connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The third project focuses on widening the Kaliabor-Numaligarh highway in Assam to four lanes, spanning 85.67 km and incorporating wildlife-friendly infrastructure near Kaziranga National Park. The fourth initiative is a two-lane highway from Mayjilar to Jaisalmer, including a bypass for Jaisalmer, covering 138.177 km. This project is expected to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, support defence movement, and enhance road safety in Rajasthan. In the railway sector, three projects were assessed. The first involves expanding the third and fourth rail lines on the 32.46 km Badlapur-Karjat route to ease congestion on the busy Mumbai-Pune-Solapur-Wadi-Chennai corridor. The second project will add a fourth rail line between Nergundi and Cuttack in Odisha, along with a flyover at Nergundi, to streamline freight transport for Paradip Port and Talcher coalfields. The third project will build a 74.09 km double rail line from Haridaspur to Paradip, boosting coal transportation and industrial logistics in Odisha’s Angul-Jharsuguda region. The Rajkot Metro Rail Project was also reviewed. Spanning 41.11 km, this greenfield initiative in Gujarat aims to decongest urban traffic and integrate seamlessly with regional rail, bus, and public transport networks. These fast-tracked projects are set to enhance connectivity, economic development, and logistical efficiency across key regions, aligning with India’s long-term infrastructure vision. (English Matrubhoomi)

Building Material

03 Dec 2025

Cement Makers Positive on H2 Demand Outlook

The leading cement producers have posted high single-digit volume growth and better sales realisation in the July–September quarter, setting a positive tone for the second half of FY26. Companies are upbeat on demand prospects, supported by a strong housing sector and continued government spending on major infrastructure projects. UltraTech, Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Dalmia Bharat and Nuvoco Vistas recorded revenue growth of up to 18 per cent in the September quarter. The rise was driven by firm realisations, softer input costs and an increased share of premium products. With coal price..

Infrastructure Urban

03 Dec 2025

Odisha Targets Role as MSME Hub for Eastern India

Odisha has set its sights on becoming the MSME gateway of eastern India, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said at the Odisha Industrial Conclave 2025, organised by Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB). Calling the state a land of possibilities, he noted that Odisha has emerged as a leading destination for micro, small and medium enterprises.He said that reforms such as the Go-Swift single-window system now allow project approvals within a day. Odisha has also invested 6.1 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure development, which is expected to further accelerate industrial and MSME growth.Majhi emphasise..

Infrastructure Energy

03 Dec 2025

Coal Ministry Eases Process for Exploration and GR Approvals

The Ministry of Coal has introduced a simplified approval mechanism for exploration programmes and Geological Reports (GRs) for coal and lignite blocks. The reform aims to accelerate exploration activity, reduce procedural delays and strengthen India’s preparedness for rising energy demand.Under the revised process, reports prepared by Notified Accredited Prospecting Agencies (APAs) and peer-reviewed by another accredited agency no longer require approval from the committee set up in January 2022. This marks a major shift towards faster, more transparent and technology-driven exploration.By ..