105th NPG meeting reviews rail, road projects to boost logistics efficiency under PM GatiShakti
Under the Ministry of Railways, proposals included the construction of third and fourth lines on several high-density corridors. These include the 76.56 km Arakkonam–Renigunta section across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, a key freight route under the Mission 3000 MT and Amrit Chaturbhuj programmes, aimed at easing congestion and supporting rising freight demand.
New Delhi, December 19: The 105th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) on Friday reviewed eight major infrastructure projects—seven rail and one road—to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
The projects were evaluated for alignment with GatiShakti principles, including integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and a whole-of-government approach. The initiatives are expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion, improve freight movement and generate socio-economic benefits across multiple states.
Under the Ministry of Railways, proposals included the construction of third and fourth lines on several high-density corridors. These include the 76.56 km Arakkonam–Renigunta section across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, a key freight route under the Mission 3000 MT and Amrit Chaturbhuj programmes, aimed at easing congestion and supporting rising freight demand.
The NPG also examined the doubling of the 66.67 km Erode–Karur section in Tamil Nadu to enhance capacity and improve freight movement of coal, steel, cement and granite, and the doubling of the 159.26 km Salem–Karur–Dindigul corridor, which serves major industrial clusters and the Mettur thermal power plant.
Other rail proposals reviewed included third and fourth line expansions between Guntakal–Bellary and Guntakal–Wadi, traversing Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. These mineral- and industry-rich corridors serve major steel, cement and power plants and are critical for coal movement from eastern India to southern power stations.
In Telangana, the NPG assessed the proposal for third and fourth lines between Yadadri and Kazipet, along with a fourth line between Ghatkesar and Yadadri. This high-traffic corridor is a vital rail artery connecting Hyderabad with Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi, and supports significant industrial and passenger traffic.
The Ministry of Railways also presented a proposal for an electrified multi-tracking line between Talegaon and Uruli in Pune district, Maharashtra. The project is designed to improve passenger and freight connectivity to major industrial and logistics hubs, including MIDC Chakan, automobile clusters and ports, with strong multimodal integration.
From the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the NPG reviewed the upgradation of NH-544D from Vinukonda to Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. The 85.9 km project involves widening the highway to four lanes with paved shoulders and connecting it to the Amaravati Outer Ring Road. Once completed, it is expected to cut travel time by nearly 52 percent, lower logistics costs and strengthen connectivity between key urban and industrial centres, including Guntur, Vijayawada and the upcoming capital city of Amaravati.
The meeting was chaired by the joint secretary (logistics) in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The reviewed projects are expected to significantly strengthen India’s logistics backbone, improve supply chain efficiency and support regional economic growth in line with the PM GatiShakti vision.
