The 67th meeting of Network Planning Group (NPG) evaluated the three projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and two projects from the Ministry of Railways (MoR).

The meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Rajeev Singh Thakur.

The focus of the discussions revolved around integrated planning of network infrastructure aligned with the principles of PM GatiShakti for comprehensive regional socio-economic advancement.

The MoRTH discussed the multimodal logistics park in Maharashtra and Highway projects in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar.

MoR discussed the New Broad Gauge (BG) line between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and doubling of line in Bihar.

The first project from MoRTH relates to the Development of the Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Pune through Public Private Partnership on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.

The MMLP will act as a freight aggregation and disaggregation centre to enable freight movement on more efficient modes, such as higher sized trucks and rail thereby improving the efficiency of freight movement and reducing logistics cost in the country.

The second project pertains to widening the NH-334D section from Aligarh to Palwal to a 4-lane configuration.

It aims to improve connectivity between Aligarh and Palwal districts, particularly benefiting traffic towards Jewar airport and providing a better connectivity with Delhi-Mumbai expressway.

The project encompasses major bridges, minor bridges, railway crossings, service roads, toll plaza, truck lay bay, and various other features, to enhance the movement of freight and people.

The third project involves construction of a 4 Lane Elevated corridor on Anishabad – Aurangabad – Hariharganj Road in the state of Bihar.

This project on NH-139 aims to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing 4-lane road connecting Patna city’s key areas, including AIIMS.

The proposed elevated corridor, spanning 9 kms includes a flyover of 8.3 kms, features a 4-lane at-grade road with footpath, drain, and utility corridor, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow.

The Ministry of Railways discussed the New BG Line project stands out as a Greenfield initiative, covering 218 km across Dumduma (Assam) to Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) via Parasuramkund.

The project holds strategic importance as it will enhance regional connectivity by bridging the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra River.

It is set to spur economic and social development in Assam’s Tinsukia district and Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, and Lohit districts. The project is expected to ease passenger and freight movement in the region.

The doubling of the 255 kms Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur railway section, under East Central Railway, will enhance the section capacity and serve as an alternative route from Delhi to Guwahati.

Doubling of this section will increase the revenue from freight/passenger traffic along with reduction in transit through the region.