NPG Reviews 7 Key Infrastructure Projects in Railways, Roads, Logistics, and Textile Parks

The Network Planning Group (NPG) has evaluated seven projects — one Road/Highway project of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), one Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP), three Rail projects, and two Textile Parks under the PM MITRA Scheme — for their conformity with PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and a whole-of-government approach. The meeting was chaired by Shri Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Logistics, DPIIT.

These initiatives are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver socio-economic benefits to the catchment areas of the projects.

"The Ministry of Railways has proposed construction of the third and fourth railway lines between Bakhtiyarpur and Fatuha, covering 24.156 km in Patna district, Bihar. This section is part of a multi-tracking initiative on the Kiul–Patna–Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction corridor (approx. 390 km). The project will strengthen regional mobility, enhance freight capacity, and promote economic integration, benefiting major industrial establishments such as Ultratech Cement Plant, NTPC Super Thermal Power Plant (Barh), Carriage Repair Workshop (Harnaut), and SJVN Power Plant (Chausa), as well as SMEs in automotive, marble, stone, food processing, petroleum, and textiles. The alignment through a fertile agricultural zone will improve market access for farmers and enhance tourism connectivity to sites in Patna, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, and Bihar Sharif. It will increase passenger capacity, reduce congestion, and contribute to economic and social development in Bihar and adjoining regions," stated the PIB release.

The Ministry of Railways has also proposed a fourth railway line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu, covering 30.021 km within Chengalpattu district under Southern Railway. The section includes one junction station, four crossing stations, and five halt stations. The project aims to augment capacity for rising passenger and freight traffic, improve logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and support key industries including cement, thermal power, coal, iron and steel, and agriculture-based sectors.

Another proposal from the Ministry of Railways is for a fourth railway line between Dongargarh and Gondia, covering 84.10 km. The project falls under the “Energy Corridor” to improve bulk freight movement efficiency. It will decongest Gondia Junction by creating a bypass and facilitate seamless movement of loaded trains between Durg Junction, Nagpur, and Balharshah Junctions. The project will benefit the mining, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors, reduce transportation costs, and encourage a modal shift from road to rail.

For all three railway projects, the NPG recommended upgradation of station infrastructure, enhancement of passenger amenities, improved accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the development of related facilities, including parking, waiting areas, and evacuation road connectivity.

The MoRTH has proposed a 54.2 km road corridor connecting Rewa to Churhat to improve connectivity between eastern Madhya Pradesh and the state capital. The project will serve as a vital freight corridor for cement and coal industries in Singrauli, integrating with multiple National Highways, and reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs.

The MoRTH has also proposed the development of an MMLP at Parkibanda village, Medak district, Telangana, spanning 315 acres. The facility will handle 1.47 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually from 2028, with capacity to increase to 19.98 MMT by 2070. The site is strategically located within 50 km of major industrial hubs and offers multimodal connectivity through NH-44 and Manoharabad Railway Station. Upon completion of the Regional Ring Road, the MMLP will have direct access to major freight corridors, including Mumbai and JNPT.