In news– Network Planning Group (NPG) constituted under the institutional framework of ‘PM GatiShakti’ has recommended 3 important road connectivity projects recently.
Three projects-
Following are the three projects recommended by NPG-
Four Lane Highway from Gazipur – Ballia – UP/Bihar State Border-
- The proposal was for a 4-lane highway (in greenfield) to connect the economic centers for (Lucknow, Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Mau cities). This will ensure shortest connectivity from south Bihar to Delhi.
Improvement and Up-gradation of Existing Road from 2-Lane to 4–lane in Uttar Pradesh-
- This project is a part of strategic border roads of Indo – Nepal border road project (INBRP) of Ministry of Home Affairs providing connectivity to Indo – Nepal border and facilitating SSB mobility.
- It will also ensure connectivity to Bardoi National Park.
Moradabad & Kashipur bypasses in UP, Uttarakhand-
- The project provides interstate connectivity between Uttar Pradesh- Uttarakhand -bypass connecting major economic centers of the region.
- It serves as a trade route for India – Bangladesh, and India- Bhutan – Bangladesh.
- It will provide connectivity to Jim Corbett National Park.
What is Network Planning Group?
- An Integrated Multimodal Network Planning Group (NPG) with heads of Network Planning Division of all connectivity infrastructure Ministries & Departments is responsible for unified planning and integration of the proposals and assist the EGOS in respect of its mandate.
- NPG facilitates regular interactions between the stakeholders.
- It guides all the Departments/ Ministries responsible for creation of economic zones and connectivity infrastructure during the planning phase itself.
- The parameters/prescribed norms of the overall National Master Plan is the overarching objective of the NPG for examining and sanctioning future projects thus leading to minimising of disruptions and strive for the creation of an ideal & efficient operating system for all infrastructure projects in the country.
- NPG’s role is to ensure: integration of networks; enhance optimization through modification/expansion/new network creation; avoid duplication of works for holistic development of any region; reduction logistics costs through micro-plan detailing.
- NPG has the head of Planning Divisions of the infrastructure Ministries including, the Ministry of railways, MoRTH, Power, MoPNG, DoT, MoCA, MoPSW, Transport department, Ministry of Ports, Waterways, PwD, PSU, PMT, DS SM & PPP with a special representative from NITI Aayog and MoEF&CC.
- Logistics Division, DPIIT functions as the secretariat of PM GatiShakti.
