~100-trn Gati Shakti plan launch likely next month
The Centre may next month launch the ambitious ~100-trillion national master plan for multimodal connectivity, also known as Gati Shakti, aimed at accelerating economic growth by building infrastructure. “An approval from the Cabinet is expected early October,” said an official.
The Centre may next month launch the ambitious ~100trillion national master plan for multimodal connectivity, also known as Gati Shakti, aimed at accelerating economic growth by building infrastructure.
Several rounds of interministerial consultations have already taken place and the Cabinet note is ready, two government officials aware of the matter told Business Standard.
“An approval from the Cabinet is expected early October,” said one of the officials.
The master plan, spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, will boost construction work by integrating key modes of transportation — road, rail, air, waterways — and reduce logistics cost, besides improving industrial productivity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a portal that will integrate the existing portal and the data of key infrastructure ministries.
The integrated portal will be updated regularly and various government departments as well as other stakeholders will be able to access real-time information and data on various infrastructure projects. Simply put, there will be easy access to information on various issues such as areas where more roads need to be constructed and the logistics rate.
It is expected that there will be coordination among all ministries towards project implementation. It will not only help individual ministries to plan or work for a particular project, but also increase business opportunities. It will also expedite projects in the northeastern parts of the country.
“The master plan will increase the scope of business and investment opportunities in the country and result in speedy decision making. It will ensure multimodal connectivity at various production centres,” said one of the officials cited above.
According to the government’s internal estimates, the Gati Shakti project will help sharply reduce the time taken for getting approvals for infrastructure projects — around 162 days from 600 days now, in some cases.
Another government official said the master plan was almost ready in March, however, the outbreak of the second wave of the pandemic delayed it. Besides, the integration of all key infrastructure ministries took time. A committee of top government officials will also be set up to oversee the workings of the master plan.
The master plan was announced by Modi on Independence Day.
“In the near future, we are going to launch the National master plan of Prime Minister Gati Shakti, which will be a huge scheme and fulfill the dreams of crores of countrymen. This scheme of more than ~ 100 trillion will result in new employment opportunities for lakhs of youth,” Modi had said.
“Gati Shakti will also go a long way in making our local manufacturers globally competitive and this will also develop new possibilities for the creation of future economic zones. In this decade, the power of speed will form the basis of India's transformation.”