On November 20, 2025, the 102nd Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting was held to evaluate Road, Transport & Highways infrastructure projects in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP). The NPG assessed three projects: one road/highway project by MoRTH, and two rail projects, focusing on integrated multimodal infrastructure and last-mile connectivity.
The evaluated projects include:
* **Ministry of Railways (MoR) - Third and Fourth Railway Line between PUNARAKH to KIUL Station (Bihar):** Proposed construction of a 49.57 km railway line between Punarakh and Kiul in Bihar, traversing Patna and Lakhisarai districts. It will enhance rail capacity and logistical efficiency for industries like Ultratech Cement, ACC Cement (Warsaliganj), NTPC Barauni, NTPC Super Thermal Power Plant (Barh), Carriage Repair Workshop (Harnaut), and SJVN Power Plant (Chausa), and small/medium-scale industries. It aims to improve rail connectivity and catalyze economic and social development in Bihar, benefiting regional hubs like Patna, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, and Mokama, and improving access to tourist destinations.
* **Ministry of Railways (MoR) - New BG Line from Silghat (Silghat Town) – Dekargaon (Tezpur) (Assam):** Proposed construction of a 27.50 km railway line between Silghat and Dekargaon in Assam, near National Highways NH-15 and NH-715. The line aims to enhance regional connectivity, promote multimodal transportation, and improve passenger and freight movement, fostering economic growth, industrial activity, trade, and tourism in Assam.
* **Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH) - Construction of 4 lane elevated corridor including approaches from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka on NH-65 (Maharashtra):** Proposed construction of a 9.66 km four-lane elevated corridor from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka on National Highway (NH)-65 in Solapur, Maharashtra. Part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana (Phase-I), it aims to enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion and travel time, enhance road safety, and lower vehicular emissions, strengthening regional connectivity and supporting tourism.
The meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry, and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Contacts: Abhishek Dayal, Shabbir Azad, and Anushka Pandey.
Key Entities Referenced
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP): A national plan to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Network Planning Group (NPG): A group convened to evaluate infrastructure projects related to Road, Transport & Highways.
Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH): The ministry proposing highway infrastructure projects.
Ministry of Railways (MoR): The ministry proposing railway infrastructure projects.
Bihar: Indian state where railway line projects are proposed.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
102nd National Planning Group Meeting
Reviews Key Infrastructure Projects under PM
GatiShakti
NPG Assesses 3 Key Projects from Railways and Road,
Transport & Highways
Posted On: 20 NOV 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi
The 102nd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG), was convened today to evaluate
infrastructure projects of Road, Transport & Highways. The meeting focused on enhancing
multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National
Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
The NPG evaluated 03 projects in which 01 Road/Highway projects of MoRTH & 02 Rail projects for
their conformity to the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile
connectivity to economic and social nodes and ‘Whole of Government’ approach. These initiatives
are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver significant socio-economic
benefits to the catchment areas of the project. The evaluation and anticipated impacts of these projects
are detailed below:
A brief description of the projects are given below:
Ministry of Railways (MoR)
3rd and 4th line between PUNARAKH to KIUL station (Bihar): The Ministry of Railways has
proposed the construction of a Third and Fourth Railway Line between Punarakh and Kiul stations in
the state of Bihar, spanning approximately 49.57 kilometers. The proposed section traverses the Patna
and Lakhisarai districts, strengthening the rail infrastructure in one of the state’s key industrial and
agricultural corridors.
This corridor holds significant strategic and economic importance, as it will enhance rail capacity and
logistical efficiency for major industrial establishments including Ultratech Cement Plant, ACC
Cement (Warsaliganj), NTPC Barauni, NTPC Super Thermal Power Plant (Barh), Carriage Repair
Workshop (Harnaut), and SJVN Power Plant (Chausa). It will also benefit numerous small and
medium-scale industries engaged in automobile, marble, stone, food processing, petroleum, and
textile production across Fatuha, Patna–Patliputra, Mokama, Barhiya, and Lakhisarai.The project is expected to catalyze economic and social development by providing faster, safer, and
seamless rail connectivity within Bihar and to other parts of the country. Enhanced accessibility will
particularly benefit regional hubs such as Patna, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, and Mokama, supporting both
passenger and freight movement.
Additionally, the proposed railway line will improve connectivity to several important tourist
destinations including Bapu Tower, Mahavir Mandir, Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Khuda Baksh Library,
Kumhrar Park, Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, Gol Ghar, and Bihar Museum, thereby fostering
tourism and cultural exchange.
New BG Line from Silghat (Silghat Town) – Dekargaon (Tezpur) (Assam): The Ministry of Railways
has proposed the construction of a new railway line between Silghat and Dekargaon, covering a total
distance of approximately 27.50 kilometres linking station opposite on the bank of the Brahmaputra
river in the State of Assam. The proposed alignment is strategically positioned near National
Highways NH-15 and NH-715, enabling strong synergy between rail and road transport systems.
The development of this new line aims to enhance regional connectivity and promote multimodal
transportation by creating a complementary ecosystem between existing highway and railway
networks. This integration will ensure seamless movement of passengers and freight, improving
overall transportation efficiency within the region.
Designed as a capacity augmentation project, the proposed line will strengthen existing rail
infrastructure between Dekargaon and New Silghat stations, accommodating the growing volumes of
both freight and passenger traffic.
In the long term, the project is expected to catalyze economic growth and regional development,
fostering industrial activity, trade, and tourism in Assam and neighbouring areas, while supporting the
Government’s broader vision of enhanced connectivity across the northeastern region.
Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH)
Construction of 4 lane elevated corridor including approaches from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka
on NH-65 (Maharashtra): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed the
construction of a four-lane elevated corridor from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka on National
Highway (NH)-65 in Solapur, Maharashtra, spanning approximately 9.66 kilometers.
The project, a part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana (Phase-I), includes approach ramps and service roads
designed to enhance traffic flow and overall connectivity in the region. Once completed, the corridor
will provide a dedicated, congestion-free route, easing city traffic, reducing travel time, and
enhancing road safety, while also contributing to lower vehicular emissions. The proposed elevated
corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional connectivity, boosting economic activity,
and supporting religious and cultural tourism in Solapur. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s
continued commitment to improving urban mobility and promoting sustainable infrastructure
development, in line with national highway modernization and capacity enhancement goals under the
Bharatmala Pariyojana. The meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary, Logistics, Department for
Promotion of Industry, and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
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