DPIIT Reviews Mega Infrastructure Projects Worth Over ₹10000 Crore across Southern States
At a high-level meeting chaired by DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, senior officials from Central ministries, state governments, and private project proponents discussed strategies to accelerate resolution of land acquisition, environmental, and inter-agency bottlenecks through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) platform.
New Delhi, September 2: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Monday reviewed critical issues delaying major infrastructure projects across Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana, with project values collectively exceeding ₹10,000 crore.
At a high-level meeting chaired by DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, senior officials from Central ministries, state governments, and private project proponents discussed strategies to accelerate resolution of land acquisition, environmental, and inter-agency bottlenecks through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) platform.
State-Wise Review
In Karnataka, five projects worth ₹3,658 crore were reviewed. In Kerala, two projects amounting to ₹5,002 crore were examined, while in Telangana, three projects worth ₹1,934 crore were discussed.
Among the key projects was the Trivandrum–Kanyakumari railway line doubling spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Estimated at ₹3,785 crore, the project seeks to double the existing single line, cutting travel time, improving freight and passenger movement, and boosting tourism and regional connectivity. Officials flagged hurdles in land acquisition, environmental clearances, and localized resistance. Authorities were urged to expedite solutions to realize the socio-economic potential of the project.
The 5G/4G network expansion initiative of Reliance Jio also came under review. Discussions with the Telangana government focused on pending forest and wildlife clearances. The initiative aims to expand 5G mobile connectivity to remote and uncovered areas, while strengthening existing 4G networks. Officials said the project is expected to significantly improve digital access in remote and sensitive regions, aligning with the government’s vision of a digitally empowered India.
Strengthening Project Monitoring
Secretary Bhatia reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to fast-tracking mega projects and called for proactive engagement by both government agencies and private players. He urged companies to make greater use of the PMG’s specialized mechanisms for dispute resolution and inter-ministerial coordination.
“The government is committed to ensuring that infrastructure projects progress without unnecessary delay. Timely coordination between the Centre, states, and private stakeholders is critical for delivering socio-economic benefits,” he said.
The PMG platform, housed under DPIIT, facilitates real-time monitoring and resolution of issues affecting large public and private projects, with the goal of reducing delays and boosting investor confidence.
