The 64th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting under PM GatiShakti discussed three proposed infrastructure projects and Rail Sagar Corridor Program, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said on Thursday.

The three Greenfield projects of the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with an aggregate project cost worth about Rs 9,600 crore are discussed during the meeting.

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The group discussed the proposed new BG line between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The proposed project of MoR aims to enhance multimodal connectivity, increase capacity for both freight and passenger trains, and provide faster rail connectivity between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

In addition, the project will increase employment, and tourism, and will reduce traffic congestion at major junctions. Area Development Approach has been integrated into project planning for enhancing last-mile connectivity, duly taking into account synergies with ports of Andhra Pradesh, the ministry said in a statement.

The NPG members also discussed the proposed construction of a New Region Ring Road (RRR) in Odisha.

This project of MoRTH aims to ease the movement of freight between Chennai and Kolkata. It aims to provide multimodal connectivity to economic nodes such as economic corridors, industrial parks, mineral and mining zones, good sheds, etc. as well as logistics and social nodes. It bypasses major towns in Odisha, avoiding traffic congestion in the cities and enhancing logistics efficiency by reducing travel time by 37.5%.

Another significant project discussed in the meeting was the proposed four-laning of NH-727 in Uttar Pradesh. Upon completion, the project will provide improved connectivity to the Buddhist Circuit Route, 2 Social, 3 industrial parks 4 Economic nodes such as fishing seafood, and textile clusters, and eleven logistics nodes including Amrit Bharat Railway Stations and Airports.

This is expected to increase cross-border trade, stimulate socio-economic development, and improve road connectivity to economic centers, industrial zones, and agricultural regions, industrial parks, etc. thereby boosting economic activities, trade, and investments. The project’s success is anticipated to also spur the growth of ancillary infrastructure, including warehouses, distribution centers, and logistics hubs, and create opportunities for new services such as roadside amenities, gas stations, and rest areas to cater to increased traffic and travel demand.

Further, the significance of rail infrastructure in sustaining Indian economy’s growth to Rs 5 Trillion and meeting logistics market growth of 8464 million metric tonnes by 2031 was also emphasized. To meet the logistics need for cargo movement as a result of growth in the Indian economy, Indian Railways has proposed to increase rail modal share to 35% by 2031.

The meeting was chaired by Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).