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COVER STORY

The year 2021 was significant for the Ministry of Road Transport decision making to break the silos of departmentalism. In the
and Highways (MoRTH) as it not only continued the growth proposed Plan, all the existing and proposed economic zones
momentum of achieving landmarks, but also witnessed some have been mapped along with the multimodal connectivity
incredible innovations and projects being announced and being infrastructure in a single platform. Individual projects of different
implemented at fast pace. Let’s take a look at some of these line Ministries would be examined and sanctioned in future within
initiatives… the parameters of the overall Plan, leading to synchronization of
efforts. GatiShakti will bring synergy to create a world class, seamless
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021 multi-modal transport network in India. The National Master Plan will
PM GATISHAKTI employ modern technology and the latest IT tools for coordinated
The Union Cabinet approved “PM Gati Shakti – National Master planning of infrastructure. A GIS-based Enterprise Resource Planning
Plan (NMP)” including institutional framework for rolling out, system with 200+ layers for evidence-based decision-making is
implementation, monitoring and support mechanism for providing one example. The use of satellite imagery for monitoring is another.
multi-modal connectivity. The NMP aims at bringing in holistic Digitization will play a big role in ensuring timely clearances and
planning and development across the country. All economic zones flagging potential issues, and in project monitoring as well.”
and infrastructure developments depicted in a single integrated
platform will provide spatial visibility of physical linkages to promote CONSTRUCTION ACHIEVEMENTS
comprehensive and integrated multi-modal national network of Pace of construction increased from 12 km per day in 2014-15 to
transportation and logistics with the aim to enhance ease of living, 37 km per day in 2020-21 (by more than 3 times). Around 13,327
ease of doing business, minimize disruptions and expedite cost km NHs were constructed in the year 2020-21. In the current
efficient completion of works. NMP will boost economic growth, financial year 2021-22, the Ministry has so far built 5,407 km on
attracting foreign investments and enhance the country’s global NHs (as on 24 December, 2021). While work continued on the
competitiveness there by enabling smooth transportation of different NH projects and tunnels at high speed, including Delhi-
goods, people and services and creating Mumbai Expressway, Bangalore-Chennai
employment opportunities. According to Expressway and Zojila Tunnel, the foundation
Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, stone was laid for many projects by
NITI Aayog, “The National Master Plan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, like the
GatiShakti would help realize the dreams Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which are
of crores of our countrymen. The GatiShakti slated to reduce the existing travel time
programme marks a paradigm shift in between Dehradun and the National Capital

18 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|FEBRUARY 2022