PM Gati Shakti driven railway corridors for revolutionary infrastructure development
In a move towards bolstering India’s infrastructure and ushering in a new era of connectivity, the recently announced Interim Budget for 2024-25 unveiled plans for the implementation of three pivotal Economic Railway Corridors under the PM GatiShakti initiative. These corridors are strategically designed to enhance multi-modal connectivity, comprising energy, mineral, and cement corridors, port connectivity corridors, and high traffic density corridors. The aim is to streamline logistics, reduce costs associated with rail movement, and alleviate congestion on high-density rail routes. Additionally, this initiative promotes a shift from road to rail and coastal shipping, contributing to a significant reduction in carbon footprint within the logistics sector.
Welcoming this monumental step, Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised the far-reaching impact of infrastructure development on employment generation and economic growth. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently prioritised infrastructure as a key driver affecting diverse sectors.
The budget announcements also spotlight opportunities for leveraging the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP) in various sectors, including the expansion of airports, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, comprehensive development of tourist centers, metro rail expansion, and advancements in medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
Acknowledging the critical role of cutting-edge technologies, the government emphasises the use of PM GatiShakti, Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), RFID technology, Big Data Analytics, and IoT-based Logistics Data Bank for predictive planning and objective decision-making in logistics and infrastructure development.
Since its launch, PM GatiShakti has played a crucial role in planning both physical and social infrastructure. The Area Approach, integrating economic and social sector assets, has been instrumental in identifying gaps and suitable locations for various facilities. PMGS NMP has significantly mitigated risks associated with infrastructure investments, attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) by enhancing logistics efficiency.
As the budget allocates resources for upgrading existing infrastructure and building new projects, the reliance on technology, exemplified by PMGS, remains indispensable. By offering a GIS-data-based decision support system, PMGS continues to play a pivotal role in integrated planning, contributing to the Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business in the country.
