To streamline infrastructure planning by various government entities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow inaugurate PM GatiShakti, a master plan for national multimodal connectivity.
According to a statement from the Press Information Bureau, PM GatiShakti will eliminate silos in the planning and design of infrastructure projects. The Union government expects that PM GatiShakti will address past issues through holistic planning for stakeholders for major infrastructure projects. The program will push for project design and execution with a common vision, notes the statement.
PM GatiShakti: Key Features:
- All data in one place, GIS based planning tools and 200+ layers for the use of various units
- Centralized Portal with existing and planned initiatives of Central and State governments
- Program to provide public and business community information on upcoming connectivity plans
- Individual units of the govt to get visibility on activities of other departments, governments
- Platform to simplify planning, co-ordination design and execution of projects for all stakeholders
- Will help identify critical connectivity gaps in infrastructure, help optimization of plans
- Will help prioritize projects with stakeholder inputs
- Will allow departments to track project execution progress through data and satellite imagery
- Will help identify bottlenecks and interventions required for speedier implementation
PM GatiShakti will incorporate infrastructure plans of both Union and State Governments. Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN and other schemes will become part of the program. Besides, Economic Zones for textiles pharmaceuticals, defence, electronics, industrial corridors, fishing clusters, agricultural zones will be covered to improve connectivity to make Indian businesses more competitive globally.
Multimodal connectivity will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services across geographies Last mile connectivity will improve and reduce travel time, helping businesses plan investments at suitable locations, according to the GoI statement.
Extensive use of technology, including spatial planning tools and ISRO imagery is to be part of the program.
Union Ministers for Commerce, Road Transport and Highways, Railways, Civil Aviation, Shipping, Power, Petroleum and Natural Gas will also be present at the ceremony scheduled for 11 am on 13th October 2021.
Considerable publicity about Gati Sakthi in the media at huge cost. Is it included in the budget? What are its benifits? As it is an issue of far reaching consequences, it is desirable that it is made known to the public in the larger interest.
CAG had made many financial aspects which need close scrutiny. Adding further financial burden may lead to serious dislocation.
Rural India is growning in pain.
Which way we are going. Railways is a country’s life line. Dislocation can lead to serious problems. Let there be public debate.