NPG Meet Reviews GatiShakti Infrastructure

• 09 Dec 2025

Why in News? 

The 104th meetings of the Network Planning Group, chaired by the Joint Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT, were convened to assess key infrastructure proposals under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. 

• Eight railway projects were reviewed for alignment with PM GatiShakti principles, including multimodal integration, socio-economic impact, and coordinated planning. 

Key Points 

• Barbenda–Damrughutu–Bokaro Corridor (West Bengal & Jharkhand): The NPG examined the proposal for constructing third and fourth lines to decongest the high-density Barbenda–Damrughutu–Bokaro freight corridor, a critical route serving industries such as the Bokaro Steel Plant and Tata Steel, to improve operational efficiency and enhance regional freight capacity. 
• Jamalpur–Munger Double Line and New Ganga Bridge (Bihar): The meeting evaluated the Jamalpur–Munger double-line project, including a new bridge over the Ganga and an avoiding line at Jamalpur, designed to improve connectivity across the Gangetic plains, support industrial growth, and enable faster, safer movement of passengers and freight in the region. 
• Santragachi–Panskura–Kharagpur Fourth Line (West Bengal): The proposed fourth line on this heavily used passenger–freight corridor was assessed to address current congestion, reduce delays, and increase reliability.  
  • Strengthening this route is expected to enhance logistics efficiency and promote balanced regional development across eastern India. 
• Gummidipundi–Gudur 3rd & 4th Lines (Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh): The Ministry of Railways proposed 3rd and 4th lines over 89.96 km between Gummidipundi and Gudur, improving multimodal freight movement connected to Chennai Port.  
  • The corridor will support fertilisers, containers, cement, and power sector freight, with an expected handling capacity of 25.07 MTPA through diversion to the newly sanctioned multi-tracking section. 
• Konkan Railway Restructuring (Maharashtra, Goa & Karnataka): A major 3rd Financial Restructuring plan for KRCL was reviewed, involving new tunnels at Pernem and Old Goa and three additional crossing stations at Mayem, Neura-O-Grande, and Mookambika Road–Byndoor.  
  • These upgrades aim to improve financial health, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and boost operational efficiency along the coastal corridor. 
• Nidadavolu–Duvvada 3rd & 4th Lines (Andhra Pradesh): The 198.10 km proposal on the Howrah–Chennai main line targets soaring freight volumes from Andhra Pradesh ports, especially coal, gypsum and fertiliser imports, while improving passenger services. 
  • The expansion supports key industries such as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and major cement manufacturers, contributing to industrial and logistics growth. 
• Nagda–Mathura 3rd & 4th Lines (MP, UP & Rajasthan): Covering 567.860 km, this project forms a crucial part of the Golden Quadrilateral and High-Density Network-3. 
  • As the only remaining un-augmented stretch on the Delhi–Mumbai corridor, its expansion will drastically increase carrying capacity for freight from petroleum terminals, fertilizer plants, cement industries, warehousing hubs, and thermal power plants. 
• Ghaziabad–New Sitapur 3rd & 4th Lines (Uttar Pradesh): Spanning 402.78 km across ten districts, this project aims to improve commuter and freight efficiency toward Northern Frontier Railways.  
  • Supported by strong road networks, agricultural mandis, logistics hubs, and proximity to major airports (Delhi, Bareilly, Lucknow), the upgraded corridor is expected to reduce logistics costs and support sustainable regional development.