The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 was recently presented by the Minister of Finance. The budget encompasses various programs and initiatives, one being the ‘PM GatiShakti’. Introduced in October 2021, the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity is an initiative designed for coordinated planning and execution of infrastructure projects with the aim of reducing logistics costs. As a comprehensive digital platform, it amalgamates development projects from 16 diverse ministries for integral planning and implementation. Initially launched, it superseded the Rs 110 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline unveiled in 2019.
The Scope of PM GatiShakti in Budget 2022-23
The 2022-23 budget extends the PM GatiShakti’s scope to seven core sectors including Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure. It also plans to incorporate the infrastructure developed by state governments according to the GatiShakti Master Plan. This master plan is defined by its commitment to world-class modern infrastructure and logistics harmony among various modes of movement, both for people and goods, and project locations.
Major Proposals under PM GatiShakti
Several significant proposals under the scheme were introduced in the 2022-23 budget, including:
Road Transport
An integral part of the PM GatiShakti Master Plan is the development of Expressways, expected to facilitate swifter movement of people and goods. The National Highways network will be expanded by 25,000 km in the coming fiscal year with Rs. 20,000 crore allocated towards this expansion.
Seamless Multimodal Movement of Goods and People
This proposal focuses on the unified logistics interface platform, designed for Application Programming Interface (API), which aims to provide real-time information to all stakeholders, efficiently move goods through diverse modes, and improve international competitiveness.
Multimodal Logistics Parks & Railways
Contracts for implementing Multimodal Logistics Parks at four locations under PPP mode will be awarded in 2022-23. The railways will develop innovative products and logistics services for small farmers and SMEs besides leading the integration of postal and railway networks for seamless parcel movement.
Mass Urban Transport and Connectivity to Railways
The budget encourages innovative financing methods and faster implementation for constructing metro systems at scale. It also proposes facilitating multimodal connectivity between mass urban transport and railway stations as a priority.
National Ropeways Development Programme
A sustainable alternative to conventional roads in tricky hilly areas, the National Ropeways Development Programme, will be implemented on PPP mode. This aims to enhance connectivity and commuter convenience and boost tourism.
Capacity Building for Infrastructure Projects
To ramp up capacity in planning, design, financing, and management of PM GatiShakti infrastructure projects, central ministries, state governments, and their infra-agencies will receive technical support from the Capacity Building Commission for skill up-gradation.