Major Infrastructure Boost: NPG assesses 3 upcoming highway, rail, and metro projects in Maharashtra, Andhra and J&K
The aim is to construct a third rail line between Gudur and Renigunta stations in Andhra's Tirupati district. (Image: IE)
The 72nd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) took place in New Delhi this week. The session was chaired by Rajeev Singh Thakur who is the Additional Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The primary focus was on evaluating three major infrastructure projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Railways, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Each project was assessed for its alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
National Highway Project in Jammu & Kashmir
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposed a project involving the construction and upgrading of a 51-km section of NH-701 from Rafiabad to Chamkot. This project includes both greenfield (14.34 km) and brownfield (36.66 km) developments, with an estimated cost of INR 1,405 Crores.
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Anticipated Impact
The improved route will significantly enhance connectivity for villages like Kupwara, Chowkibal, and Tangdhar. This upgrade will bolster logistical support for defense forces and elevate socio-economic conditions by offering better access to healthcare, education, and business opportunities.
Gudur-Renigunta Third Rail Line in Andhra Pradesh
The aim is to construct a third rail line between Gudur and Renigunta stations in Andhra’s Tirupati district. The 83.17 km line is designed to increase the capacity of the existing double line and is estimated to cost INR 884 Crores.
Anticipated Impact
This project will boost the efficiency of passenger and cargo movement. It requires 36.58 hectares of land and includes infrastructure upgrades such as new bridges, extended underpasses, and advanced signalling systems. These improvements are expected to significantly boost regional economic activities.
Pune Metro Line Extension in Maharashtra
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has proposed extending the operational metro corridor from Vanaz to Ramwadi in Pune. The project involves extending two lines: a 1.12 km elevated section from Vanaz to Chandani Chowk and an 11.63 km elevated section from Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi. The total length of this elevated metro corridor will be 12.75 km, with an estimated cost of INR 3,757 crores.
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Anticipated Impact
The daily ridership for the line is expected to reach 3.59 lakhs by 2027, growing to 9.93 lakhs by 2057. This extension will link central Pune with expanding suburbs, cutting travel time, easing road congestion, and greatly improving the city’s public transportation network.
During the meeting, all projects were evaluated for their integrated planning and alignment with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP). The focus is on the socio-economic advantages, better connectivity, lower transit expenses, and improved efficiency. Additionally, the projects seek to promote multimodal integration, thereby improving overall transportation and logistics networks.
All these infrastructure projects are expected to play pivotal roles in integrating various modes of transport to provide substantial socio-economic benefits. They are set to contribute significantly to the overall development of the regions, improving ease of living and fostering economic growth.