The government is finalising an ambitious infrastructure development plan to be executed by 2029, featuring construction of 16,500 km of high-speed national highway corridors, expansion of metro rail to 10 more cities, and rail connectivity to all ports, industrial hubs, and capitals of the Northeastern states.
Sources said NITI Aayog has recently reviewed proposals prepared by the ministries of housing and urban affairs, road transport, railways, shipping, and civil aviation. An empowered agency comprising planning heads of all transport ministries is also on the anvil to frame an integrated transport and logistics strategy with a five-year rolling action plan, and to monitor timely execution.
The highways ministry has already begun sanctioning projects under its framework for developing the new corridors while upgrading the entire NH network to at least two lanes. Thirteen ropeway projects are also set to become operational.
The railways ministry is pushing for connectivity to hilly regions and Northeastern states in the next four years, and aims to make India’s first bullet train, between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, operational by 2029.
In the ports and shipping sector, the government has set a target to enhance major port capacity by 450 million tonnes per annum. Proposals for mega shipbuilding hubs are at an advanced stage, awaiting Cabinet clearance.
Officials said all departments have been asked to fast-track project preparation and processing so approvals can be secured at the earliest.