The 86th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG), held on 24 January 2025, assessed four significant infrastructure projects in the road and rail sectors for alignment with the principles of PM GatiShakti. Chaired by E Srinivas, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, the meeting focused on the integrated development of multimodal infrastructure, improving connectivity to economic and social hubs, and synchronising project implementation.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry emphasised that these projects are expected to enhance logistical efficiency, reduce travel time, and deliver socio-economic benefits to their respective regions. "Upon completion, these projects are anticipated to significantly strengthen India's infrastructure network, ensuring that the benefits of seamless connectivity reach every part of the country."

The NPG evaluated two railway and two highway projects - the first was the Vadodara-Ratlam quadrupling project (258.94 km), which aims to ease congestion on one of Western Railway's busiest corridors. Adding a third and fourth line will increase freight and passenger capacity, improving connectivity to industrial and port hubs. The second was the Murarai-Barharwa third line project (48.9 km) in West Bengal and Jharkhand, designed to address congestion and boost logistics efficiency by adding a third line to a heavily used route.

In the road sector, the NPG reviewed the Tikamgarh-Badagon-Ghuwara-Shahgarh upgrade, which involves improving a stretch of 80.70 km on NH-539 in Madhya Pradesh. This project aims to enhance inter-state connectivity, ease congestion, and support agricultural and tourism activities. Lastly, the NPG evaluated a four-lane greenfield highway project from Sultanpur to Ayodhya (65 km) in Uttar Pradesh, designed to bypass congested urban areas and facilitate smoother traffic flow.

These projects are expected to contribute significantly to India's infrastructure development, enhancing connectivity and boosting economic growth in key regions.