NPG Reviews Road & Rail Projects to Boost Multimodal Connectivity under PM GatiShakti Breakthrough

The Network Planning Group (NPG) reviewed four major infrastructure projects from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Railways (MoR). The projects include a road/highway project and three rail projects, including brownfield and greenfield developments. The evaluation focuses on strengthening multimodal connectivity, last-mile linkages, and integrated planning in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan The Ministry of Railways proposed a new 40.2 km railway line between Baramulla and Uri in Jammu & Kashmir, providing reliable rail connectivity and boosting tourism. The project also includes 3 Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and 9 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and will require fresh land acquisition.

The doubling of the Qazigund Badgam railway line, covering a 73.50 km stretch, is of strategic importance, enabling seamless movement of military special trains The proposed 3rd & 4th line between Ambala Jalandhar covers 138 km on Broad Gauge and will reduce travel time, ease congestion, and increase capacity for both passenger and freight trains. The project holds exceptional importance for national security, as it serves as the shortest and most vital rail link to Jammu & Kashmir, enabling faster movement of defence personnel, logistics, and supplies to border areas. the projects aim to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce travel time, and generate significant socio-economic benefits in their respective regions.

The Network Planning Group (NPG) has once again brought infrastructure development into the spotlight with its recent review of road and rail projects under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. Designed to create a unified vision for India’s transport and logistics network, this initiative focuses on connecting economic hubs with high-capacity transport corridors, reducing bottlenecks, and ensuring that both goods and passengers experience smoother, faster, and more reliable mobility. The review signals a crucial phase where the emphasis is not only on completing pending projects but also aligning them with the broader vision of multimodal connectivity, where roads, railways, ports, airports, and inland waterways work together in harmony.

Strengthening the Road-Rail Balance

India’s transport backbone has traditionally leaned heavily on roadways, which currently carry more than 65% of freight. However, this imbalance leads to higher logistics costs, road congestion, and environmental concerns. The latest NPG review highlights the need to shift part of this load to the railways by accelerating the development of dedicated freight corridors and modernizing passenger train networks. By aligning new road expressways with existing and upcoming freight rail projects, the government ensures that industries can move goods seamlessly between modes of transport. This integration not only reduces transit time but also minimizes duplication of infrastructure investments.

Projects such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway are being designed to integrate directly with freight rail corridors and multimodal logistics hubs, offering industries the option to switch between road and rail based on efficiency. Similarly, corridors being developed under the (National Highways), Bharatmala Pariyojana and the modernization drive of Indian Railways are expected to act as complementary networks rather than isolated assets. You can read about recent expressway approvals in Rajasthan.

Multimodal Logistics Parks and Smart Hubs

A recurring theme in the review was the significance of Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs). These hubs, being developed in strategic locations like Nagpur, Chennai, and Varanasi, serve as transition points where freight can switch effortlessly between trucks, trains, and ports. By providing warehousing, cold storage, and smart digital tracking under one umbrella, these parks are expected to cut logistics costs substantially while boosting reliability In parallel, the NPG has stressed the importance of integrating logistics hubs with industrial corridors such as the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC).

These corridors are vital in linking India’s manufacturing clusters with global trade routes. With the government’s focus on green hydrogen trucks the logistics ecosystem is also moving towards sustainability, ensuring that connectivity does not come at the cost of the environment One of the most significant outcomes expected from GatiShakti-led integration is enhanced export competitiveness. The cost of logistics in India stands at nearly 13–14% of GDP, much higher than the global average of 8–9%. The NPG’s review of rail and road projects directly addresses this challenge by reducing turnaround times for goods, especially in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.

Regional Growth Beyond Metros

For exporters, faster road-to-port and rail-to-port connectivity means goods reach international markets quicker, improving India’s standing in global trade. Ports on both the eastern and western seaboards are being linked with inland road and rail corridors to reduce reliance on a single mode of transport. This aligns closely with initiatives such as India Maritime Week, where ₹1 trillion worth of investment opportunities in port-led infrastructure were highlighted The NPG review also shines a light on the importance of balanced regional development. While large metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru remain critical logistics hubs, the government wants to ensure that Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are equally integrated into the national transport network.

Improved rail connectivity in cities like Patna, Nagpur, and Surat, coupled with expressways linking smaller towns to industrial hubs, ensures that growth is not concentrated in a handful of metropolitan regions This approach aligns with the broader infrastructure push witnessed in Greater Noida, where projects like Northwind Estates’ luxury development here are leveraging improved connectivity to attract investments. It also creates job opportunities, improves regional mobility, and ensures that citizens across India benefit from reduced travel time and lower costs of essential goods.

Technology and Digital Integration

A crucial but often overlooked part of GatiShakti success lies in its reliance on technology. The NPG has underlined that upcoming road and rail projects must integrate digital tracking, GIS-based mapping, and unified data systems. This means logistics operators and industries will have real-time visibility of cargo movement, helping them plan better and reduce wastage. For instance, freight trains can be monitored through centralized dashboards, ensuring coordination between ports, warehouses, and industrial parks. Road networks are also being digitized, enabling dynamic traffic management. These measures resonate with India’s broader Digital India vision and ensure that the country’s logistics system is future-ready.

As India accelerates infrastructure growth, sustainability remains at the core of planning. The NPG review acknowledged the progress of green hydrogen corridors and EV infrastructure expansion, which are expected to reshape road and rail freight. By introducing clean fuel trucks and electrified freight trains, India is not just reducing carbon emissions but also lowering long-term logistics costs. Recent government initiatives, such as the rollout of (NHAI) highlight the synergy between sustainable mobility and multimodal connectivity. Similarly, railway electrification projects ensure that cargo movement becomes more energy-efficient and less dependent on fossil fuels.

Economic Outlook and Way Forward

The long-term vision of PM GatiShakti is to transform India into a $5 trillion economy by creating an integrated and resilient infrastructure network. The NPG’s review of road and rail projects is not just about clearing proposals but ensuring that each project contributes to this national vision. By synchronizing investments, reducing redundancies, and focusing on multimodal integration, the government is laying the foundation for faster GDP growth, higher employment, and enhanced competitiveness. Furthermore, the emphasis on stable corporate investments in infrastructure, as highlighted in the India Ratings outlook for large corporates, suggests that private players will continue to play a crucial role. Public-private partnerships.

Foreign direct investments, and domestic capital are all expected to align with the GatiShakti framework, creating a multiplier effect across sectors. The NPG’s review of road and rail projects underscores India’s determination to move away from fragmented transport planning and towards a unified, multimodal logistics system. By connecting expressways with freight rail corridors, building multimodal logistics parks, digitizing cargo management, and promoting sustainable transport, the government is creating an ecosystem that is both economically efficient and environmentally responsible.

For businesses, this means reduced costs and faster market access. For citizens, it translates into better connectivity, reduced congestion, and improved affordability. And for India as a whole, it positions the country as a rising global hub for trade and logistics. With continued reviews and course corrections, the vision of PM GatiShakti is steadily becoming a reality, setting the stage for a more connected, competitive, and sustainable India.