105th NPG Meeting Reviews Rail and Road Projects to Boost Logistics Efficiency under PM GatiShakti

The 105th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was convened today to evaluate infrastructure projects. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).

The NPG evaluated 07 Rail projects and 01 Road project for their conformity to the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes and 'Whole of Government' approach. These initiatives are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver significant socio-economic benefits to the catchment areas of the project. The evaluation and anticipated impacts of these projects are detailed below:

A brief description of the projects is given below:

Ministry of Railways(MoR)

1. 3rd & 4th Line Arakkonam - Renigunta

The Ministry of Railways has proposed constructing a 76.559 km 3rd and 4th railway line between Arakkonam and Renigunta to ease congestion, boost line capacity, improve punctuality, and support rising freight demand. The corridor spans districts in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and forms a key part of "Mission 3000 MT" and the High-Density Traffic Routes (Amrit Chaturbhuj) program.

The proposal incorporates industry consultations, ensures connectivity with major highways and airports, and leverages strong multimodal links to industrial hubs and key transport nodes. Enhanced approach roads for freight loading will further strengthen logistics efficiency. The Ministry underscores that the project is a strategic investment aimed at reinforcing rail infrastructure and supporting regional economic growth.

1. Doubling of track between Erode - Karur Section

The Ministry of Railways has proposed doubling the 66.67 km Erode-Karur railway line in Tamil Nadu to ease congestion, enhance capacity, and improve operational efficiency for both passenger and freight services. The project will support shorter freight routes, boost industrial growth, and strengthen regional mobility.

The corridor's strong integration with national and State highways, air connectivity, and existing road links to industrial hubs will enable seamless multimodal transport. Doubling the line will also improve movement of key commodities such as coal, steel, cement, and granite to power plants and industries, supported by adequate approach roads to loading points.

The Ministry emphasizes that the project will enhance supply chains, improve connectivity, and contribute significantly to Tamil Nadu's economic development.

1. 3rd & 4th line between Guntakal - Bellary stations

The Ministry of Railways has proposed building a 45.92 km 3rd and 4^th line between Guntakal and Bellary, effectively quadrupling the existing double-line corridor across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The project will boost capacity on a key freight and passenger route serving major industries such as JSW, Kalyani Steels, Ultratech Cement, ACC Cement, and KPCL.

Situated on the vital Hubli-Gadag-Bellary-Guntakal route, the section connects northwest Karnataka with major regions across India. The mineral-rich belt of Bellary, Tornagallu, Hosapete, and Ginigera-home to major steel and power plants-stands to gain significantly through improved freight mobility and reduced congestion.

1. 3rd & 4th line between Guntakal - Wadi stations

The Ministry of Railways has proposed a 230 km 3^rd and 4^th line between Guntakal and Wadi, traversing Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The project will quadruple the existing double-line section, expanding capacity on one of the region's most crucial freight routes.

The corridor is vital for transporting coal from the Nagpur-Balharshah-Kothagudem belt to power plants along the Wadi-Guntakal-Renigunta axis and supports major cement industries between Wadi and Tandur. The expansion will ease bottlenecks, improve punctuality and average speeds, and create additional paths for both passenger and freight trains.

1. Doubling between Salem-Karur-Dindigul

The Ministry of Railways has proposed doubling the 159.26 km Salem-Karur-Dindigul railway corridor to ease congestion, boost line capacity, and enable smoother, faster passenger and freight operations.

As a key energy and industrial route serving the Mettur Thermal Power Plant and major sectors such as steel, cement, textiles, agriculture, and food processing, the upgraded line will significantly reduce freight costs, improve logistics efficiency, and stimulate regional economic growth. Strong industrial clusters across Salem, Namakkal, Karur, and Dindigul stand to benefit from enhanced connectivity.

The project is expected to improve service reliability, create local employment, and strengthen Tamil Nadu's strategic freight network.

1. 3rd and 4th line between Yadadri and Kazipet stations and 4th line between Ghatkesar and Yadadri stations

The Ministry of Railways has proposed constructing a third and fourth railway line between Yadadri and Kazipet (77.958 km) and a fourth line between Ghatkesar and Yadadri (32.448 km). These sections form part of a High Traffic Density Corridor identified under the Universe of Projects of Indian Railways, underscoring their strategic importance.

The Yadadri-Kazipet-Ghatkesar corridor is one of Telangana's most vital rail routes, serving as a key artery for both passenger and freight movement across South India and providing connectivity to major metropolitan cities including Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi. The corridor has witnessed significant development owing to its strategic location and the concentration of major industrial establishments in the region.

The route benefits from strong multimodal connectivity, with direct access to major roads such as NH-163 and State Highways SH-1 and SH-2. It also lies within convenient proximity to major airports-Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (around 31 km from Secunderabad) and Begumpet Airport (approximately 40 km). Existing road links between railway stations and industrial zones, including pharmaceutical clusters, will be further strengthened to accommodate increased traffic once the project is completed. No ports are located in the immediate vicinity.

The proposed expansion aims to enhance network capacity, improve punctuality, and support the region's growing passenger and freight demand.

vii. 3^rd and 4^th line Electrified Multi tracking line between Talegaon-Uruli

The Ministry of Railways has proposed a broad-gauge, electrified multi-tracking railway line between Talegaon and Uruli in Pune district, Maharashtra, to enhance passenger and freight connectivity. The alignment will serve key towns including Talegaon, Wagholi, and Uruli, and support major industrial and logistics hubs.

Key stakeholders such as JSW Dolvi, JNPA, Adani APSEZ, MIDC Chakan, Niphad Dry Ports, and automobile industries have been consulted for traffic assessment. The project ensures multimodal integration with airports and highways, while avoiding infringement on major national and State highways.

The line will connect to the upcoming Mega Coaching Terminal at Uruli, integrate with the Pune-Solapur-Wadi route on the Mumbai-Chennai High-Density Network, and link additional lines to Alandi on the Pune-Satara section, improving overall network capacity and operational efficiency.

Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways(MoRTH)

viii. Construction for upgradation of NH-544D from Vinukonda- Guntur section terminating at Amaravati Outer Ring Road in the State of Andhra Pradesh

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed the upgradation of National Highway NH-544D from Vinukonda to Guntur, involving its widening from a two-lane configuration to a four-lane highway with paved shoulders. The project aims to enhance road capacity, safety, and overall operational efficiency along this strategically important corridor, which provides a critical link between NH-44 (Bengaluru-Hyderabad) and NH-16 (Kolkata-Chennai).

The proposed alignment extends from Podili Junction in Vinukonda to the Amaravati Outer Ring Road, covering a total length of approximately 85.9 km, including about 44.6 km of brownfield and 41.3 km of greenfield sections. While the project largely follows the existing highway, selected stretches will undergo geometric improvements, realignments, and the development of bypasses to rectify current deficiencies and improve traffic movement.

Upon completion, the project is expected to reduce travel time by nearly 52%, lower logistics costs, and significantly improve freight movement and traffic flow. It will strengthen connectivity between key urban centers such as Narasaraopeta, Guntur, Vijayawada, and the upcoming capital city of Amaravati, while supporting regional economic growth, employment generation, urban development, and tourism.

The meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry, and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

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Abhishek Dayal/ Shabbir Azad/ Ishita Biswas