New Delhi, Feb 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday underscored the role of PM Gati-Shakti, in bringing about fundamental changes in the concept of development in India. It will usher in a new era of infrastructure based development which will have a huge multiplier effect on all sectors of the economy, he said.
While earlier, infrastructure was developed in pieces to satisfy the need of the times, PM Gati-Shakti will develop infrastructure to encourage overall development and considering the futuristic needs, Mr. Modi said. To testify his government’s focus on infrastructure Mr. Modi said, the estimated direct capita expenditure in India in 2022-23 which is Rs 7.5 lakh crore is four times that of the expenditure in 2013-14.
Outlining the salient features of PM Gati-Shakti Masterplan Mr. Modi said, one of its outstanding features is its focus on technology. It will integrate the functioning of different ministries, which now operate in silos, to remove bottlenecks, empower investors by making available information on an accessible platform, bring down logistics costs by launching a Unified Logistic Interface Platform- ULIP, and ensure harmonious relation between the centre and states.
Data on single platform
“Now more than 400 data-layers are available in PM Gati-Shakti National Master Plan. Not only does this provide information about the existing and planned infrastructure, but it also contains information like forest land, available industrial estate. I suggest that the private sector should use it as much as possible for their planning. All the necessary information on the National Master Plan is being made available on a single platform, because of which it will be possible to get project alignment and various types of clearances at the DPR stage itself. This will also be helpful in reducing your compliance burden. I will also ask the state governments to make the basis of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan by setting up their project and economic zones,” Mr. Modi noted.
The Prime Minister said in the year 2013-14, the direct capital expenditure of the Government of India was about two and a half lakh crore rupees, which has increased to seven and a half lakh crore rupees in the year 2022-23. This is an increase of almost four times. Be it National Highway, Railway, Airway-Waterway, Optical Fiber Connectivity, Gas Greed, Renewable Energy, the government has increased investment in every sector. In these areas, our government is moving ahead with very big goals.
India has suffered a lot due to the lack of coordination between the Centre-State, the local body and the private sector, Mr. Modi said.. “We see the lack of harmony and conflict between these two at many places. It has been happening to us too that somewhere a road was built and the next day it was dug for laying water pipes. When the road was rebuilt, the sewer line layman came and dug it. This happens because different departments do not have clear information. Due to PM Gati-Shakti, now everyone will be able to make their plan amidst complete information. This will also lead to optimum utilization of the country’s resources, the Prime Minister added.
National single window portal ULIP to bring down logistics costs
On logistics costs, Mr. Modi pointed out that the Logistic Cost in India is considered to be 13 to 14 percent of GDP. This is more than other countries. PM Gati-Shakti has a huge role in improving infrastructure efficiency, he said. In order to reduce the logistics cost in the country, a provision has been made in this budget to create a Unified Logistic Interface Platform- ULIP. You know that at present the digital systems of various ministries are working according to their requirements. 24 Digital Systems of 6 Ministries are being integrated through ULIP. This will create a National Single Window Logistics Portal which will help in reducing the logistics cost, said Mr. Modi.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for disaster resilience infrastructure against the backdrop of frequent natural calamities in India. So unless there is technology, we will not be able to work in that direction. And so let’s bring that forward too. Companies working in Logistics Sector have World Class Knowledge and Tools. Using them, we have to ensure that the data available in the country is used better, he said.
Public-Private participation
Gati-Shakti will ensure true public-private partnership in infrastructure creation from infrastructure planning to development and utilization stage, the Prime Minister said. He invited suggestions on the concept from the private sector.
Commenting on the importance of communications infrastructure Mr. Modi said now it seems that where there is optical fibre, there the world will develop. Times are changing. This means that the infrastructure is not just isolated infrastructure. As soon as it happens, a whole new eco system develops around it. Keeping this in mind also, this Gatishakti master plan will benefit us a lot, he added.
