The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, is a transformative initiative with an investment of Rs. 100 lakh crore, aimed at revolutionizing India's infrastructure over the next five years. Developed as a digital master planning tool by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), the plan seeks to break down inter-ministerial silos, improve project timelines, and boost India's global competitiveness. With the vision of creating world-class infrastructure, PM GatiShakti is expected to enhance the ease of living, foster economic growth, and make Indian businesses more competitive.
Key Features:
Digital Integration: The platform integrates efforts from 16 ministries to ensure smooth infrastructure planning and execution.
Multi-Sector Collaboration: It includes major programs like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, and UDAN, fostering collaboration across multiple sectors.
Economic Zones: The plan focuses on developing textile clusters, pharmaceutical hubs, defence corridors, and agricultural zones.
Use of Technology: Advanced tools like GIS-based planning and ISRO satellite imagery support data-driven insights for project management.
Key Engines Driving PM GatiShakti:The plan revolves around seven primary sectors that ensure economic growth and connectivity. These sectors are supported by complementary areas like energy transmission, IT communication, bulk water and sewerage, and social infrastructure.
The Six Pillars of PM GatiShakti:
Comprehensiveness: Integrates all planned initiatives into a centralized portal for visibility and efficient planning.
Prioritization: Enables ministries to prioritize projects using cross-sectoral interactions.
Optimization: Identifies infrastructure gaps, minimizing delays and reducing costs.
Synchronisation: Ensures that ministries work in harmony, avoiding delays from uncoordinated efforts.
Analytical Capabilities: Over 200 data layers on the GIS platform support better decision-making and infrastructure visibility.
Dynamic Monitoring: Real-time project tracking through satellite imagery keeps projects on schedule.
Achievements of PM GatiShakti:
District-Level Expansion: The platform has been extended to 27 aspirational districts, with plans to cover 750 districts.
Technological Integration: Geospatial tools and data layers enhance real-time planning.
Global Recognition: PM GatiShakti has been showcased to 30 countries in Asia and Central Asia and highlighted at global forums like UNESCAP.
Social Sector Impact: Ministries have used the platform for healthcare facility mapping, employment training, and rural development projects.
Rural and Urban Impact: Projects like drip irrigation in Gujarat and tourism development in Arunachal Pradesh illustrate its diverse applications.
Challenges Faced by PM GatiShakti:
Data Integration and Accuracy: Inconsistent and outdated data hinder effective planning. For instance, land records are digitized in only 13 states.
Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Ministries working in isolation cause delays, as seen in projects like Sagarmala and Bharatmala.
Regulatory Bottlenecks: Environmental and land clearance processes slow down projects.
Financing and Resource Allocation: Limited funding options and reliance on government finances delay large-scale projects.
Lack of Skilled Manpower: Many states lack the technology and trained personnel to effectively utilize the platform.
Project Monitoring and Accountability: Regular updates on project progress are often missing, leading to slow implementation.
How the Implementation of PM GatiShakti Can Be Enhanced:
Improve Real-Time Data: Expanding satellite imagery usage and ensuring up-to-date land records across all states will improve project execution.
Enhance Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Creating task forces for better communication and using the platform to track activities across ministries will reduce delays.
Provide Training and Support: Expanding Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and setting up regional centers can equip states with the necessary skills to utilize the platform.
Streamline Regulatory Approvals: GIS tools can help expedite environmental and land clearance processes, reducing project delays.
Attract Private Investment: Using financial mechanisms like Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds can reduce the government's financial burden and accelerate project implementation.
Promote Sustainable Practices: Incorporating environmentally friendly practices and engaging local communities early in the planning process will minimize resistance and ensure smoother execution.
Conclusion
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan is a comprehensive, technology-driven approach aimed at transforming India's infrastructure landscape. While its potential to improve connectivity, drive economic growth, and enhance competitiveness is immense, addressing challenges like data integration, inter-ministerial coordination, and financing will be crucial for its successful implementation. By optimizing resources, promoting sustainability, and enhancing collaboration, PM GatiShakti can significantly contribute to India’s infrastructure development and economic future.
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