The Network Planning Group (NPG), under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, has reviewed and approved four major infrastructure projects aimed at improving logistics efficiency and multimodal connectivity across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The decisions were taken during the NPG’s 101st meeting, marking another step in advancing integrated infrastructure planning across India.
Two key road projects were cleared to ease freight congestion and boost last-mile connectivity to industrial and port zones. The NH-160A (Ghoti–Palghar) project in Maharashtra will strengthen links between manufacturing clusters and western coastal ports, while the Ashapur–Rudhy (Betul–Khandwa) corridor in Madhya Pradesh is set to improve connectivity between industrial areas and key agricultural markets.
In the railway sector, the NPG approved construction of third and fourth railway lines between Gamharia–Chandil and Sainthia–Pakur, two critical stretches in Jharkhand and West Bengal that form part of high-density freight corridors. These upgrades are expected to ease congestion, increase freight-carrying capacity, and ensure smoother movement of minerals, coal, and other bulk commodities essential for regional industries.
Collectively, the projects are designed to reduce travel time, lower freight transportation costs, and promote a shift from road to rail, aligning with India’s long-term goals of sustainable and integrated logistics development. The NPG emphasized that the initiatives will not only strengthen national supply chains but also enhance economic competitiveness by improving infrastructure efficiency under the PM GatiShakti framework.
