India’s infrastructure is evolving at a pace never seen before. From world-class highways and smart logistics parks to modern ports, railways, and airports — the country is working to build a connected and efficient logistics network under the visionary initiative, PM GatiShakti.

Recently, the Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM GatiShakti met to review key infrastructure projects, with a focus on improving connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and accelerating growth across multiple sectors.

PM GatiShakti

Transforming How India Builds

Launched in October 2021, PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity is an integrated platform that brings together 16 ministries — including Road Transport, Railways, Aviation, Shipping, Power, and Telecom.

Instead of planning projects in silos, GatiShakti promotes joint planning, data sharing, and real-time coordination, ensuring that every infrastructure project complements another.

It’s a “one nation, one network” approach to create seamless connectivity and reduce duplication of efforts — resulting in faster approvals, lower costs, and better outcomes.

Role of the Network Planning Group (NPG)

The Network Planning Group is the core decision-making body within the GatiShakti framework. It examines proposals from various ministries and ensures they align with the National Master Plan.

Before any major infrastructure project is approved, it is reviewed by the NPG to assess:
✅ Alignment with logistics and connectivity goals
✅ Environmental and social impact
✅ Inter-ministerial coordination
✅ Economic efficiency and long-term benefits

This step ensures that investments are made strategically, not randomly — helping India move toward a unified infrastructure vision.

Recent NPG Review: Focus Areas

In its latest review, the NPG examined several projects related to:

• Road and expressway construction to improve regional connectivity
• Port and coastal infrastructure under the Sagarmala initiative
• Freight and industrial corridors connecting manufacturing hubs
• Airport and logistics park upgrades to support trade efficiency

The reviewed projects aim to cut logistics costs, enhance multimodal transport, and ensure last-mile connectivity between production zones and consumption markets.

Why GatiShakti Matters

India’s logistics costs currently stand at 13–14% of GDP, compared to 8–9% in developed countries.
This gap directly affects export competitiveness and industrial productivity.

PM GatiShakti aims to:
🚀 Bring logistics costs below 10% of GDP
🌏 Build world-class multimodal infrastructure
💡 Encourage private and global investments
♻️ Promote environmentally sustainable growth

With integrated planning, delays and overlaps between ministries will reduce drastically, saving both time and taxpayer money.

Digital Mapping and Data Integration

A standout feature of PM GatiShakti is its GIS-based digital platform, which integrates more than 1,600 layers of data — including roads, rail lines, ports, rivers, power grids, and environmental zones.

When ministries plan new projects, they can visualize how each infrastructure asset connects to others — avoiding duplication, improving resource allocation, and speeding up approvals.

This data-driven governance makes planning smarter, faster, and more transparent.

Economic and Environmental Impact

The NPG’s reviews focus not only on economic feasibility but also on environmental balance.
New infrastructure projects are being designed with green corridors, renewable energy integration, and eco-sensitive planning.

Additionally, smoother connectivity means:

• Less fuel wastage and carbon emissions
• Shorter travel times
• Better productivity for industries and logistics operators

Private Sector and Investment Opportunities

The GatiShakti framework also creates vast opportunities for private and foreign investors in sectors like logistics, warehousing, construction, and technology.

By ensuring clear project mapping and streamlined approvals, the government is reducing the uncertainty that often discourages investment.
This will help India attract FDI in infrastructure and position itself as a global logistics hub.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While the initiative has shown impressive progress, challenges remain — including land acquisition delays, inter-agency coordination, and funding.

However, with continuous monitoring by the NPG and strong political will, PM GatiShakti is proving that India can plan and execute mega projects more efficiently than ever before.