PM Gati Shakti Mission

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

The PM Gati Shakti mission, aimed at revolutionizing India’s infrastructure, faces critical challenges. Concerns include lack of transparency, inadequate financial planning, project delays, neglect of social and environmental impacts, and fragmented interagency coordination. Addressing these concerns is crucial for the scheme’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

The PM Gati Shakti mission, launched with much fanfare, aims to revolutionize India’s infrastructure landscape by integrating and streamlining various modes of transportation. The scheme’s overarching goal of reducing logistical costs, improving efficiency, and boosting economic growth is undeniably commendable. However, a critical analysis reveals several implementation concerns that cast doubt on the scheme’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

PM Gati Shakti is a recent initiative launched by the Indian government to boost the country’s infrastructure development and ensure faster and more efficient movement of goods and people. The genesis of this initiative can be traced back to the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2021.

In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to infrastructure development that would enable the country to meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy. He emphasized the importance of creating a strong and modern infrastructure network that would connect the country’s far-flung regions and help in the efficient movement of goods and people.

To achieve this vision, the government launched the PM Gati Shakti initiative, which aims to integrate the country’s various modes of transportation, including roads, railways, waterways, and airways, into a unified and seamless network. The initiative also seeks to leverage the power of technology to create a digital infrastructure backbone that would enable better monitoring and management of the country’s infrastructure assets.

Under this initiative, the government is also working to create a National Master Plan (NMP) that would serve as a blueprint for infrastructure development in the country. The NMP would bring together various ministries and departments involved in infrastructure development and enable them to work in a coordinated and integrated manner.

In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of expanding the NMP platform for socio-economic development, Social Sector Ministries are being onboarded through a series of meetings. A recent meeting was held to review the adoption of PM Gati Shakti NMP by Social Sector Ministries/Departments, and it was emphasized that there is immeasurable potential for the adoption and augmentation of NMP in social sector planning. 14 Social Sector Ministries/Departments have been onboarded, and their individual portals have been integrated at the backend with the NMP. 61 data layers of Social Sector Ministries related to infrastructure assets have been mapped on NMP, and there is a focus on developing SOPs for data management. The meeting saw participation from all 14 Ministries/Departments, and some ministries showcased their use cases for the adoption of NMP. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has developed a mobile application for data collection regarding Anganwadi Centres, which has resulted in real-time data enrichment on the platform for infrastructure planning. The Department of School Education and Literacy is using the NMP platform to identify suitable sites for opening new schools. Other social sector Ministries are also in the process of identifying assets essential for social sector planning to be uploaded on NMP. Individual portals for 22 infrastructure and user economic ministries and all 36 States/UTs have been created and integrated with the NMP at the backend, with 1460 data layers currently integrated into NMP.

The genesis of PM Gati Shakti in India can be traced back to the Prime Minister’s vision of creating a modern and efficient infrastructure network that would serve as the backbone of the country’s economic growth. Through this initiative, the government aims to bring about a comprehensive and integrated approach to infrastructure development and create a National Master Plan that would serve as a blueprint for the country’s infrastructure development for years to come.

Lack of Clarity and Transparency:

One of the major issues with the PM Gati Shakti mission is the lack of clarity and transparency in its execution. Despite its ambitious objectives, there is a dearth of detailed information regarding the scheme’s operational framework, funding allocation, and implementation timeline. This opacity raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, leaving room for potential mismanagement and corruption.

Inadequate Financial Planning:

While the mission aims to bring about transformative changes, there are serious concerns about its financial viability and sustainability. The PM Gati Shakti Scheme demands substantial financial resources for the development and integration of multiple transport modes. However, the government’s allocation of funds and revenue-generation plans remain vague. Without a comprehensive and transparent financial plan, the scheme may struggle to attract investment and realize its ambitious goals.

Infrastructure Bottlenecks and Project Delays:

India’s infrastructure sector has long been plagued by bottlenecks and project delays. Unfortunately, the PM Gati Shakti Scheme does not appear to adequately address these concerns. The lack of a robust mechanism to tackle bureaucratic red tape, land acquisition challenges, and environmental clearances is a significant hurdle to the timely completion of infrastructure projects. Without addressing these issues, the scheme risks becoming yet another ambitious plan trapped in bureaucratic gridlock.

Neglecting Social and Environmental Impacts:

While the PM Gati Shakti mission emphasizes economic growth and infrastructure development, it seems to overlook the potential social and environmental impacts. The scheme’s focus on rapid expansion and integration may lead to the displacement of communities, destruction of ecosystems, and exacerbation of pollution and climate change. A comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment framework, along with community engagement, should be integral components of the scheme to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.

Fragmented Approach and Interagency Coordination:

Given the complexity and interdependence of India’s transportation systems, the PM Gati Shakti mission’s fragmented approach raises concerns about effective interagency coordination. The lack of a centralized authority responsible for integrating various modes of transport, coupled with the absence of a clear governance structure, may lead to conflicts, inefficiencies, and duplication of efforts. Without robust coordination mechanisms, the scheme’s potential benefits may remain unrealized.

Conclusion:

While the PM Gati Shakti Mission having the vision of transforming India’s transportation infrastructure is undoubtedly laudable, a critical review reveals several pressing concerns. The lack of transparency, inadequate financial planning, infrastructure bottlenecks, neglect of social and environmental impacts, and fragmented approach raise doubts about the scheme’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Addressing these issues is crucial for the successful implementation of the scheme and ensuring that it delivers the promised benefits to the nation and its citizens.

References

Govt. of India. (n.d.). PM Gati Shakti – national master plan for multi-modal connectivity. Govt. of India. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/pm-gati-shakti-national-master-plan-multi-modal-connectivity

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Press Bureau of India. (2021, October 13). PM launches Gati Shakti- National Master Plan for infrastructure development. Press Bureau of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1763638

PTI. (2021, October 13). PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enhance competitiveness, promote manufacturing. Thehindu.com. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-gati-shakti-national-master-plan-to-enhance-competitiveness-promote-manufacturing/article36983467.ece

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