Govt panel evaluates 18 road infra projects proposed by road ministry

These projects span across states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar (representational image)

The Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti initiative evaluated 18 crucial road infrastructure projects proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) at its 78th meeting on September 6.

These projects span across states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar, and "align with the principles of integrated planning outlined in the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP)," according to a government statement.

"The NPG evaluated all eighteen projects based on the principles of PM GatiShakti: integrated development of multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, intermodal connectivity, and synchronized implementation. These projects are anticipated to play pivotal roles in nation-building by integrating various modes of transport and providing substantial socio-economic benefits, thereby contributing to the overall development of the regions," the statement added.

Earlier on September 6, Moneycontrol exclusively reported, citing sources, that MoRTH is now pushing for individual road projects after its flagship scheme Bharatmala put on backburner.

The ambitious Bharatmala project, referred to as a garland of national highways, appears to be in cold storage on account of cost overruns and a seeming lack of consensus among ministries.

Going ahead, the highways ministry is now working on constructing projects on a case-by-case basis and is also increasing project awarding through the public-private partnership (PPP) route.