New Delhi, August 13(HS): The Network Planning Group (NPG) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has reviewed and advanced seven major infrastructure projects across railways, highways, logistics, and textiles, reinforcing the government’s PM GatiShakti vision for integrated multimodal connectivity and economic transformation.

The projects — spanning three new railway lines, a key highway upgrade, a mega logistics park, and two PM MITRA textile hubs — aim to slash travel times, strengthen freight corridors, and bring industries and communities closer together.

Fast-Tracking Rail Connectivity

- Bihar’s Bakhtiyarpur–Fatuha third & fourth line will ease congestion on the Kiul–Patna–Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya corridor, serving industrial giants like Ultratech Cement and NTPC Barh while boosting tourism to Bodh Gaya and Nalanda.

- Tamabaram–Chengalpattu fourth line (Tamil Nadu) will enhance passenger and freight capacity for cement, steel, power, and agri-based industries in southern India.

- Dongargarh–Gondia fourth line (Chhattisgarh–Maharashtra), part of the ‘Energy Corridor,’ will improve bulk freight movement for mining and manufacturing while cutting costs and road dependence.

All three rail projects will see upgraded station infrastructure, improved accessibility, and modern passenger amenities.

Highways & Freight Logistics Boost

- NH‑39 widening (Madhya Pradesh): A vital 54 km link between Rewa, Churhat, and Sidhi, improving freight movement for Singrauli’s coal and cement industries, cutting travel times, and reducing vehicle operating costs.

- Multi-Modal Logistics Park, Hyderabad (Telangana): A 315-acre freight powerhouse poised to handle 1.47 MMT cargo annually from 2028, scaling up to 20 MMT by 2070, with seamless rail-road connectivity to Mumbai and JNPT.

Textile Industry Transformation

- PM MITRA Park, Madhya Pradesh: Strategically located in the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor, integrating the full textile value chain for districts including Indore and Dhar.

- PM MITRA Park, Tamil Nadu: 1,052 acres in Virudhunagar with plug-and-play units, environmental facilities, training centres, and social infrastructure.

Both hubs aim to elevate India’s global textile competitiveness and generate thousands of skilled jobs.

Chaired by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT, the 98th NPG meeting reinforced a whole-of-government approach — building projects that link industry, agriculture, and communities into a seamless national economic network.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar