New Delhi: The 89th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) convened on Friday to evaluate infrastructure projects in the road, railway, and metro sectors. The NPG reviewed eight projects, including around 41 km of the Rajkot Metro Rail Project, which falls under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

The Rajkot Metro Project is a greenfield urban transport initiative aimed at reducing congestion and providing a sustainable mode of transport in Rajkot, Gujarat. Spanning 41.11 km, the project integrates with existing urban infrastructure, ensuring multimodal connectivity with regional rail, city bus services, and intermediate public transport, such as autos and cycle rickshaws.

It is noteworthy that the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) awarded the tender to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Rajkot Metro Project to SYSTRA in September 2021 to determine the feasibility and scale of the light rail transit system.

Later, the Government of Gujarat submitted a Rs. 10,000 crore proposal to the Union government last year for building the metro project in Rajkot. Awaiting approval, this will be the first metro rail service in the Saurashtra region.

The meeting, chaired by Joint Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Pankaj Kumar, focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).

The other projects that were also reviewed include:

– Two-lane with paved shoulder from Darugiri to Dalu section in Meghalaya

The project involves the development of the existing road into a two-lane highway with a paved shoulder along the Darugiri to Dalu section of NH-62 (New NH-217) in Meghalaya. This 136.11 km-long stretch passes through East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, and West Garo Hills, significantly enhancing regional connectivity. Given its strategic location, this corridor is essential for facilitating cross-border trade and regional economic development.

– Construction of a four-lane tunnel connectivity across River Brahmaputra between Gohpur and Numaligarh

The project involves the construction of India’s first-ever road tunnel beneath a major river. The four-lane tunnel under the Brahmaputra will reduce travel time from 6.5 hours to just 30 minutes, shortening the distance from 240 km to 34 km. This twin-tube, unidirectional underwater tunnel will enhance connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and other northeastern states.

– Widening and improvement of the existing carriageway to four lanes of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section

This project aims to upgrade the existing highway from two lanes to four lanes along the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section (NH-37/NH-715) in Assam. Covering 85.67 km across Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat districts, the project incorporates wildlife-friendly measures such as an elevated corridor and wildlife crossings to protect Kaziranga National Park’s biodiversity.

– Construction/upgradation to two-lane with paved shoulder from Mayjilar to Jaisalmer with Jaisalmer Bypass Link Road

Spanning 138.177 km, this project in Rajasthan includes brownfield and greenfield stretches along NH-11 and NH-70. It aims to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, facilitate defense movement, and enhance road safety.

– Badlapur-Karjat third and fourth line expansion

The 32.460 km-long brownfield project addresses increasing passenger and freight congestion along the Mumbai-Pune-Solapur-Wadi-Chennai corridor. Enhancing connectivity between key commuter hubs and freight transit points, this project will benefit towns including Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri, and Karjat.

– Construction of the fourth line from Nergundi to Cuttack with a flyover at Nergundi

The 15.99 km-long brownfield railway infrastructure project in Odisha aims to decongest existing rail lines, facilitate freight movement, and ensure smoother operations along a key corridor serving Paradip Port, Talcher coalfields, and major steel and power industries.

– Construction of a doubling line from Haridaspur to Paradip

The 74.09 km-long brownfield project in Odisha will enhance freight transportation capacity and logistics efficiency, facilitating seamless coal transportation from Talcher Coalfields to Paradip Port while supporting industrial expansion in the Angul-Jharsuguda cluster.

These infrastructure projects, aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, will significantly enhance connectivity, improve logistics, and contribute to regional and national economic growth.