DPIIT Reviews Infrastructure Projects in Karnataka, Kerala & Telangana

Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, chaired a high-level meeting to review major infrastructure projects in Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana. The meeting, attended by senior officials from Central Ministries, State Governments, and project developers, focused on speeding up issue resolution through stronger inter-ministerial and state coordination under the Project Monitoring Group (PMG).

In Karnataka, five issues across projects worth ₹3,658 crore were reviewed. In Kerala, two issues involving projects worth ₹5,002 crore were examined. In Telangana, six issues across projects with a cumulative cost of ₹1,934 crore were discussed.

The Trivandrum–Kanyakumari railway line doubling project, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu, was among the key projects reviewed. With an estimated cost of INR 3,785 crore, the project aims to double the existing single-line track to reduce travel time, enhance train frequency, and improve passenger and freight movement across the region. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly strengthen regional connectivity, ease road congestion, and promote tourism and local economic activity. Challenges related to land acquisition, environmental clearances and localized resistance were highlighted, and concerned authorities were advised to expedite their resolution to ensure timely execution and maximize socio-economic benefits.

The 5G/4G network expansion initiative of Reliance Jio was also reviewed. Discussions with the Government of Telangana focused on early resolution of pending forest and wildlife clearance matters. The project aims to extend 5G mobile connectivity to uncovered and remote regions across the country, while simultaneously strengthening the existing 4G infrastructure. Once implemented, the initiative is expected to substantially improve digital connectivity nationwide, including in strategically sensitive and geographically remote areas, thereby advancing the Government’s vision of a digitally empowered India.

The Secretary, DPIIT reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the institutional framework for project monitoring and directed the concerned authorities to adopt a proactive approach in addressing pending issues.