In a major structural overhaul aimed at improving the efficiency and integration of India’s infrastructure planning, the central government is set to dissolve the Network Planning Group (NPG) and establish a new unified transport planning body — the Gati Shakti Transport Planning and Research Organisation (GTPRO). The proposal, driven by the need to eliminate siloed decision-making across ministries, is expected to receive Cabinet approval soon.
Operating under the Cabinet Secretariat and headed by a secretary-level officer, GTPRO will serve as a high-level central institution responsible for long-term, coordinated national transport planning. The move marks a significant shift from the NPG’s project-centric mandate to a more holistic approach covering roads, railways, ports, shipping, and aviation.
GTPRO will create integrated medium- to long-term strategies for 5-, 10-, and 15-year horizons, ensuring seamless multimodal connectivity across the country. By bringing all transport ministries under a unified planning framework, the organisation aims to reduce logistics costs, streamline approvals, and boost infrastructure efficiency.
The new body will also appraise transport projects valued above ₹500 crore, monitor their progress, and evaluate their impact. A centralised national data repository will support evidence-based policymaking, drawing inspiration from successful planning models in countries such as the US, UK, and Germany.
To strengthen its technical foundation, GTPRO will engage expert groups from institutions like IITs and BITS Pilani, providing specialised support in transport planning, data science, and supply chain management.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving developed-economy status by 2047 through world-class, coordinated infrastructure development. The government aims to make GTPRO operational by the next financial year.
