Why in the news?

  • The 99th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was held in New Delhi.

PM Gati Shakti Scheme

  • Launched: October 2021
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
  • Aim: To bring holistic planning, integrated implementation and monitoring of infrastructure projects across ministries.
  • Linked to: National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
  • Objective:
    • Reduce logistics cost to ~8% of GDP (currently ~13%).
    • Improve last-mile connectivity for industries and economic zones.
    • Avoid time and cost overruns in infra projects.
    • Facilitate multi-modal connectivity between economic zones and transport hubs.
    • Boost Make in India and Ease of Doing Business.
  • Features:
    • Digital Platform (GIS-based): A unified system integrating 16+ ministries to plan and execute infrastructure projects.
    • Seven Engines of growth: Roads, Railways, Ports, Waterways, Airports, Mass Transport, and Logistics Infrastructure.
    • Approach: Break departmental silos and adopt a whole-of-government approach.
    • Integration with BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications & Geo-informatics) for geospatial data.
    • Data layers: Includes land, forests, utilities, transport networks for real-time planning.
    • Monitoring: Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) headed by Cabinet Secretary.
  • Benefits:
    • Efficiency: Avoids duplication of work; better coordination among ministries.
    • Cost Reduction: Faster clearances and optimized use of resources.
    • Competitiveness: Improves India’s global logistics performance.
    • Sustainability: Promotes green logistics, reduces congestion and emissions.
    • Regional Balance: Enhances infrastructure in lagging states and border areas.
  • Challenges:
    • Inter-ministerial coordination is still evolving.
    • Data accuracy and update in GIS portal.
    • Capacity constraints at state/local levels.
    • Need for private sector participation in alignment with public investment.
    • Land acquisition and environmental clearance delays.