- Mapping Connectivity Projects: PM Gati Shakti will help map existing and proposed connectivity projects, providing a comprehensive overview of the transportation infrastructure in India.
- Support for ‘Make in India’: A comprehensive and integrated transport connectivity strategy will significantly support the ‘Make in India’ initiative by facilitating the movement of goods and materials across the country.
- Infrastructure Development Goals: PM Gati Shakti aims to achieve various infrastructure development goals set by the government, including expanding the national highway network, creating heliports and water aerodromes, and developing new airports.
- Boosting Trade: By enhancing cargo handling capacity and reducing turnaround time at Indian ports, PM Gati Shakti seeks to boost trade and promote economic growth.
- Industrial and Defence Corridors: The initiative aims to establish 11 industrial corridors and two defence corridors, fostering industrial development and strengthening national security.
- Connectivity: PM Gati Shakti aims to extend 4G connectivity to all villages in the country, improving access to communication and information technology.
- Expansion of Gas Pipeline Network: Another objective is the expansion of the gas pipeline network, which will help improve access to clean energy and support economic development.
Overall, PM Gati Shakti is expected to bring about significant improvements in transportation infrastructure, connectivity, and economic development, thereby positioning India as a leading business destination on the global stage.
Six pillars of PM Gati Shakti
- Comprehensiveness: All existing and planned initiatives of various Ministries and Departments will be included in one centralized portal, enhancing visibility and providing critical data for planning and execution of projects comprehensively.
- Prioritization: Different Departments will be able to prioritize their projects through cross-sectoral interactions, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to the most important projects.
- Optimization: The National Master Plan will assist ministries in identifying critical gaps and selecting the most optimal routes for transportation of goods, considering factors such as time and cost.
- Synchronization: PM Gati Shakti aims to synchronize the activities of different ministries and departments, as well as different layers of governance, to avoid delays caused by lack of coordination in planning and implementation.
- Analytical: The plan will provide comprehensive data through GIS-based spatial planning and analytical tools, enabling better visibility and decision-making for executing agencies.
- Dynamic: Ministries and Departments will be able to visualize, review, and monitor the progress of cross-sectoral projects using satellite imagery and regular updates on the portal, allowing for timely identification of interventions to enhance and update the master plan.
The significance of PM Gati Shakti
- Enhanced Coordination: By facilitating better coordination among various ministries and departments, PM Gati Shakti aims to overcome the historical lack of collaboration, which has been a major hurdle in infrastructure development.
- Addressing Inefficiencies: Historically, there have been instances where newly constructed infrastructure was dug up again for various activities, leading to inconvenience and wasteful expenditure. PM Gati Shakti seeks to address such inefficiencies by ensuring better planning and coordination among stakeholders.
- Last-Mile Connectivity: The program emphasizes last-mile connectivity, working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure projects effectively reach their intended beneficiaries.
- Breaking Silos: By breaking down silos and promoting integrated planning and execution, PM Gati Shakti aims to streamline processes, reduce delays, and improve the overall efficiency of infrastructure projects.
- Digital Transformation: Through its digital platform, PM Gati Shakti provides comprehensive data and analytical tools, enabling better decision-making and visibility for executing agencies.
- Cost Reduction: With logistics costs in India being high compared to GDP, PM Gati Shakti’s focus on reducing these costs through better planning and implementation is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian exports in global markets.
Why Infrastructure is important
- Multiplier Effect: Infrastructure spending has a multiplier effect on the economy. It not only generates direct benefits such as employment and demand for raw materials but also creates indirect benefits through improved connectivity and efficiency.
- Improved Connectivity: Infrastructure development, such as roads, railways, and ports, improves connectivity, allowing people and goods to move faster and more efficiently between destinations. This, in turn, reduces logistics costs and enhances overall productivity.
- GDP Growth: Studies have shown that for every rupee spent by the government on infrastructure, the GDP gains are significant, ranging from Rs. 2.5 to 3.5. This highlights the importance of infrastructure investment as a driver of economic growth.
- Balanced Regional Development: Infrastructure development is essential for achieving balanced regional development. By ensuring that multiple urban clusters sprout up across the country, infrastructure projects can help decentralize economic activity and prevent the concentration of development in certain areas.
- Coordinated Approach: A coordinated approach to infrastructure development is crucial for maximizing its benefits. For example, roads feeding into railway lines and ports efficiently move goods from hinterlands to ports, facilitating trade and commerce.
The expected outcomes of PM Gati Shakti
- Mapping Connectivity Projects: PM Gati Shakti will help map existing and proposed connectivity projects, providing a comprehensive overview of the transportation infrastructure in India.
- Support for ‘Make in India’: A comprehensive and integrated transport connectivity strategy will significantly support the ‘Make in India’ initiative by facilitating the movement of goods and materials across the country.
- Infrastructure Development Goals: PM Gati Shakti aims to achieve various infrastructure development goals set by the government, including expanding the national highway network, creating heliports and water aerodromes, and developing new airports.
- Boosting Trade: By enhancing cargo handling capacity and reducing turnaround time at Indian ports, PM Gati Shakti seeks to boost trade and promote economic growth.
- Industrial and Defence Corridors: The initiative aims to establish 11 industrial corridors and two defence corridors, fostering industrial development and strengthening national security.
- Connectivity: PM Gati Shakti aims to extend 4G connectivity to all villages in the country, improving access to communication and information technology.
- Expansion of Gas Pipeline Network: Another objective is the expansion of the gas pipeline network, which will help improve access to clean energy and support economic development.
Overall, PM Gati Shakti is expected to bring about significant improvements in transportation infrastructure, connectivity, and economic development, thereby positioning India as a leading business destination on the global stage.
