New Delhi: often strained relationship with hub Nevertheless, there is one area where states are keenly coming forward to learn from the central government’s workbook to better plan and implement their physical and social infrastructure.
as a benefit of PM speed power The National Master Plan – a digital platform mapping details of all infrastructure and logistics facilities in the country on a Geographic Information System (GIS) map – becomes clear, with states mapping their state-specific essential data, physical and social infrastructure Relevant National Master Plan (NMP) for planning framework.
Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary (Logistics Division), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), said, “All the states have come together and mapped some 29 essential data layers related to their infrastructure and logistics facilities/assets on NMP. Have been.” ) told ThePrint.
The data includes land records, forests, wildlife, eco-sensitive zones, coastal regulation zones, reserve forests, water resources, dams of rivers, embankments, canals, reservoirs, seismicity of soil types, flood maps, power transmission and distribution, mining areas Related data is included. , roads, water supply pipelines, sewer lines etc.
The Logistics Division of DPIIT is operating the Gati Shakti Mission.
Ahirwar said, most states have also set up institutional mechanisms on the lines of PM Gati Shakti, such as the Empowered Group of State Secretaries and the Network Planning Group (NPG) to monitor the work that is being done. Under the PM Gati Shakti Mission, there is an Empowered Group of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary at the apex.
Next, there is a body called NPG, which There are planning in-charges of seven infrastructure ministries as members. The body meets once in a fortnight to look into all the project proposals from the point of view of coordination.
“States have set up their own Empowered Group of Secretaries and NPGs. They have also created their State Master Plan Portal, which will eventually be integrated with the National Master Plan.
Ahirwar said mapping the data layers would help states plan their complementary infrastructure better. “For example, if the PWD is planning to build a new road, it will be able to see in the State Master Plan whether the alignment of the proposed road is passing through revenue land, reserve forest or eco-sensitive areas. falls in forest land, the alignment can be changed at the planning stage itself. This will help cut down on delays and ensure smooth implementation of the project.”
The Center is helping the states prepare their master plans and map the data layer on it. Earlier this month, the Union Finance Ministry allocated approx.
Rs 5,000 crore out of Rs 1 lakh crore earmarked under the ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for 2022-23’ to states for infrastructure projects under the PM Gati Shakti Mission.
So far, 28 states have submitted over 190 projects worth Rs 5,000 crore to DPIIT for approval. The projects include multimodal logistics parks, modern aggregation centres, critical connectivity infrastructure to provide last and first mile connectivity to industrial parks, economic zones, development of city logistics planning, setting up of PM Gati Shakti data centres, etc.
Read also: Delayed under UPA, expedited under NDA – 10 big-ticket infra projects that sprang up after 2014
Serious fundamental differences in key areas identified
Since its launch in September 2021, the GIS-based Gati Shakti NMP has helped identify over 190 critical infrastructure projects across five key sectors – ports, steel, coal, fertilisers, and food and public distribution. The concerned ministries have since been asked to plug these gaps.
Apart from 24 central infrastructure and economic ministries, now 12 social sector ministries have also joined the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and mapped their data.
This will help in planning the social infra better, he added. For example, once the data of all primary level schools is mapped on the portal, we can examine the areas which are short, potential barriers to connectivity to schools etc. and take measures to bridge the gaps. Can
Similarly, looking at the master plan, if a plan is being made to build a primary health center a person The center can see if the center needs better connectivity and plan accordingly.
So far, more than 60 projects related to road, rail, shipping worth more than Rs 500 crore have been appraised by NPG. Group Has suggested some additions to the plans keeping in view the last mile connectivity. The NMP portal is already being used by the Ministries of Railways, Roads and Telecom for pre-feasibility assessment and detailed project report planning.
The 1,300 km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway under construction is a example, The Telecom Ministry is also laying about 1,300 km of optical fiber cable network on this section after carrying out investigations on NMP. The cable is being laid within the right of way of the highway, without acquiring any additional land for the purpose. This has not only helped in saving cost but more importantly has ensured that no excavation will be required in future.
(Edited by Tony Rae)
Read also: How Gati Shakti Master Plan has brought ministries out of silos, helping plan projects better