The 76^th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM GatiShakti was convened in New Delhi yesterday under the chairpersonship of Additional Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur. The projects of Ministry of Railways (MoR) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) were evaluated for their alignment with the principles of integrated planning outlined in the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).

Varanasi - Deen Dayal Upadhyay section 3^rd & 4^th Line

The Varanasi-Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay section of Howrah-Delhi main line of Indian Railway in the state of Uttar Pradesh, a double electrified passenger and goods line, is slated for expansion with the addition of third and fourth lines. This brownfield project with an approx. length of 16.72 km addresses the increasing traffic congestion and aims to improve capacity, and average speeds that will help in improving operational efficiency for both coaching and freight trains.

The new lines, designed for speed of up to 160 kmph, will run parallel to the existing route. Overall, the expansion of Varanasi-Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay section through the addition of third and fourth lines is seen as a crucial step towards resolving current congestion issues and supporting future traffic growth.

Kharsia – Naya Raipur – Parmalkasa Double Line

The Kharsia-Parmalkasa section of the Mumbai-Howrah trunk route in the state of Chhattisgarh will see a significant upgrade with a new 277.917 km double line. This project will expand capacity from Kharsia Junction (Bilaspur-Jharsuguda section) to Parmalkasa (Durg-Nagpur section), with a connection to Naya Raipur at 186.65 km from Kharsia, improving transportation and operational efficiency.

The primary goal is to alleviate severe congestion on current lines, where existing capacity utilization is more than 100 percent. The new line is crucial for easing these capacity constraints and supporting future traffic growth, especially with expected increases in coal, iron, food grain, fertilizers, and cement traffic from nearby areas. The project will support 8 passenger trains and 19-27 freight trains, highlighting its strategic importance for the region's transportation network.

Widening of existing NH-202 in Nagaland from single lane road to 2 lane paved shoulder

The proposed enhancement of NH-202 with a length of approx. 244km in the state of Nagaland aims to improve connectivity across five important districts: Mokokchung, Tuensang, Shamator, Kiphire, and Phek. This project will extend to NH-702B at Km 90.450 in Tuensang District Town, providing vital connectivity to the Myanmar border and strengthening Indo-Myanmar trade.

Its strategic importance lies in its proximity to the international border, facilitating access to international trade centers via the Akhegwo-Avangknu and Dan sub-centers and the District HQ Noklak. The project road will offer an alternative route connecting Manipur and Moreh without passing through Imphal City, significantly enhancing regional accessibility. It will play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of both rural and urban areas in the eastern part of Nagaland.

Key geographic locations connected by this road include Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Shamator, Kiphire, and Phek, linking these areas with major economic nodes like the Mega Food Parks at Dimapur and the SEZs at Dimapur and Wokha. This strategic infrastructure development is poised to play a vital role in significantly enhancing Indo-Myanmar trade and also catalyze the overall development of Nagaland and its neighboring States.

Two-laning of NH-715A from Basnaghat to Samrang via Balugaon

The proposed road development project on NH-715A spans from Basnaghat in Morigaon District in the state of Assam to the Indo-Bhutan border near Samrang, covering a total length of 91.48km. This stretch includes improvements from Basnaghat (near Morigaon) to Samrang (Indo-Bhutan Border) via Balugaon (near Kharupetia on NH-15) of NH-715A in the state of Assam.

NH-715A connects with two major national highways: NH-27, running east-west across India from Porbandar to Silchar, and NH-15, linking Baihata in Assam to Wakro in Arunachal Pradesh. This development aims to enhance regional connectivity, optimize travel efficiency and facilitate trade and logistics between India and Bhutan. The project includes constructing a new two-lane road with paved shoulders, and improving the existing single/intermediate lane sections.

This project construction will greatly benefit the region by improving connectivity between rural and urban areas, facilitating trade, and providing access to essential services. The bridge over the Brahmaputra River will open new avenues for commerce, particularly benefiting agricultural producers in Morigaon and Darrang by easing transportation of goods to markets.

Shangshak-Tengnoupal Road on NH-102A in Manipur

The project proposed widening and improvement of the existing Shangshak to Tengnoupal road on NH-102A into a 2-Lane with hard shoulder having length of 188.8 km with a designed speeds of 40-50 kmph in the State of Manipur. The project aims to address the region's social, economic, and logistical needs.

The project road will connect with NH-102 and NH-202, linking the State capital Imphal to major towns such as Ukhrul and Tengnoupal. The alignment has been optimized to consider the multimodal impact and integrate with ongoing border road projects, including the Nampisha and Tengnoupal connections via 'Sjangshak-Nampisha Road' and NH-102. This strategic alignment is expected to enhance the overall connectivity and logistics infrastructure in the region, facilitating smoother and more efficient movement of goods and passengers.

The completion of this project will establish a crucial North-South logistics corridor for Manipur and the broader North-East region of India. This corridor is expected to stimulate cross-border trade and movement between India and Myanmar, playing a vital role in meeting the growing mobility demands.

Network Planning Group (NPG) evaluated all five projects from the perspective of the principles of PM GatiShakti: integrated development of multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, intermodal connectivity, and synchronized implementation of projects. These projects are expected to play pivotal roles in nation-building, integrating various modes of transport, and providing substantial socio-economic benefits and ease of living, thereby contributing to the overall development of the regions.

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