Context
The ambitious Gati Shakti programme, also known as the National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity, has been introduced by the Indian government. This extensive programme intends to hasten infrastructure growth, lower logistical expenses, and draw in private capital investments.
The industry and CII have asked for access to the PM Gati Shakti platform.
Relevance:
GS Paper 3: Infrastructure – Investment
Mains Question
How does the Gati Shakti initiative intend to solve the difficulties India faces in developing its infrastructure, including fragmented planning, a lack of standards, and delays in project implementation? (150 words)
With regards to the Gati Shakti Scheme:
- Purpose: The Gati Shakti initiative intends to guarantee integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects over the following four years, with a focus on accelerating work, cutting costs, and creating employment opportunities.
- National Infrastructure Pipeline Integration: To maintain continuity and thorough planning, the plan combines the National Infrastructure Pipeline, a project with a budget of Rs 110 lakh crore that was started in 2019.
- Goals: The plan aims to lower the cost of logistics, increase cargo handling capacity, speed up turnaround times at ports, build industrial and defence corridors, provide 4G connectivity to all communities, and increase the network of gas pipelines.
- Integrated Approach: To solve concerns with planning, standardisation, clearances, and the timely creation and utilisation of infrastructure capacities, the programme brings together 16 infrastructure-related ministries.
- Gati Shakti Digital Platform: As part of the plan, a digital platform will be created to make it easier for different ministries and departments to plan and coordinate infrastructure projects in real time.
Expected Results:
- Mapping of connection Projects: The plan aims to map current and proposed connection projects, giving clarity on regional and industrial hub links, especially for last mile connectivity.
- Holistic Transport Connectivity: The programme supports the “Make in India” agenda and strives to create a comprehensive and effective transport connectivity plan by combining all means of transportation.
- Enhanced Competitiveness: India’s export competitiveness will increase on the international market thanks to lower logistical costs, supporting trade and economic expansion.
- Economic Growth and Employment: The construction of high-quality infrastructure is anticipated to boost economic activity, promote sustainable development, and produce numerous job possibilities.
- The industry, represented by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), requests access to the PM Gati Shakti portal’s data, excluding sensitive information. This access would help logistics firms plan operations and enable new capital spending across allied sectors.
Challenges to Overcome:
- For the Gati Shakti scheme to be implemented successfully, it will be essential to solve challenges like diminishing credit offtake, a lack of private demand, and structural problems like delayed land acquisition processes and litigation.
- To achieve long-term success, the programme should be supported by a consistent and predictable institutional and regulatory framework.
Conclusion
The Gati Shakti scheme acts as a catalyst for connectivity investments from the private sector for infrastructure growth. The programme seeks to lower costs, improve competitiveness, and stimulate economic growth by encouraging integrated planning, enhancing logistics, and encouraging public-private cooperation. Giving the sector access to the non-sensitive data on the PM Gati Shakti portal will improve planning, bring in much-needed private capital investments, and enhance India’s infrastructure foundation.
