Railways mega projects upwards of Rs 500 cr to be routed through NPG
| Date :21-Sep-2022 |
By Sagar Mohod
Central Government has set up Network Planning Group (NPG) for integrated approach to new projects costing more than Rs 500 crore of Indian Railways. Plans for the new corridors, doubling and multi tasking would undergo minute scrutiny at NPG platform that would have experts from various domains, which results in better appraisals. Government is keen to channelise plans for next four to five years with focus on unlocking the economic potential. So, once the blue print is ready, focus is on achieving the targets in a way that economic activities can be channelised accordingly.
NPG is of shoot of PM Gati Shakti programme that is aimed at having multimodal connectivity by prioritising infrastructure development works in various economic zones of the country to leverage the same to boost production and economy. The whole idea is aimed at faster movement of cargo vis-a-vis port connectivity where Indian Railways is still lagging behind compared to international benchmarks. Hence, future investment is being planned in zones and areas that have hitherto remained untapped or having economic value that can unlock potential for creating new jobs in the market.
According to a note approved by (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the Infrastructure NPG would have heads of Network Planning Division of Ministries/ Department for unified planning and integration of proposals. They are asked to assist Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and their role is quite clear, they have to submit recommendation for action plans that is needed to spur cargo movement, both inland and for experts till 2025. The projects that are identified should facilitate integration of networks, enhance optimisation either through minor or major modification or expansion of new network. However at the same time, the NPG must ensure to avoid duplication of works as funds are to be utilised in justifiable way. Hence, very fine micro detailing is to be undertaken while planning new projects..
The concept of NPG according to the note circulated by Railways is aimed at unified planning and integration of proposals of mega projects and same are to be submitted in revised format to Public Investment Board PIB/EBR for appraisals. At the same time, The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) also listed steps to be taken by Zones while forwarding projects to NPG for approval. When submitting final Detailed Project Report ( DPR), this is after nod from committee of Executive Directors, the proposal shall be uploaded on PM Gati Shakti portal, said Vikas Kumar Jain, Executive Director/GS(Civil)-l, Railway Board, in the internal note addressed to General Managers with copy marked to Chief Administrative Officers(Construction).
The change was mandated as Union Government wants to have better control on the way public funds is utilised on the ground. Further there is thinking that returns from the mega projects must be commensurate with the investment. Earlier, all projects above Rs. 500 crores would require assent from Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) and before that file used to be put-up for scrutiny of NITI Aayog and then to Minister of Railways.
While the file approval process remains same, the railway directorate is now directed to append notings of NPG for specific projects for which funds are being sought. Further Railways has to mention about source of finance for the proposed project, whether they are arranged or identified, the timelines, whether it
has components of logistics or infrastructure connectivity, year wise outcomes of the projects so that a critical view can be taken by planners.