Sub Editor | Geospatial World
India’s stride towards infra development is often impeded by myriad challenges and complexities that arise due to a host of factors and at times the mismatch between the pace of ambition and reality.
A CAG report, released in August this year, flagged the excessively high construction cost of the 30km Dwarka Expressway, part of Phase-1 of the Bharatmala Programme for building national highways in the country, highlighting that the high cost was due to a number of factors, including the use of expensive materials, the need for extensive land acquisition, and the complexity of the construction work.
The 14-lane expressway, which includes an eight-lane elevated road, is expected to be fully completed by January 2024. The Dwarka Expressway was being built at a cost of Rs250.77 crore per kilometre as against the Union Cabinet approved cost of Rs18.20 crore, which has now been refuted by the Road Ministry. The report also noted that the MoRTH did not adequately justify the high cost of the project and that there was a lack of transparency in the bidding process. The government needs to put in place strong safeguards to prevent this from happening.
Inadequate planning, insufficient investment, and underutilization of cutting-edge tech are some of the common travails. The world’s largest country would require optimization of processes across the project lifecycle, and prioritization of tech adoption.
As India charts a course towards the ambitious target of attaining a $5 trillion GDP by the fiscal year 2025, the road to economic zenith demands approximately $1.4 trillion, according to Eco Survey.
“The protracted decision-making processes within our system have become a significant hurdle, often leading to delays of two to three months”, he added.
Candidly acknowledging that silos exist, he said that Digital Twin can come to the rescue. The PM Gatishakti Initiative has effectively brought together various ministries to collaboratively develop infrastructure in a synchronized manner. This approach aims to address the country’s needs and the various Economic Development zones systematically.
In this context, the next step should be the adoption of digital twin which has the potential to transform the infrastructure sector. Fortunately, digital twin is a field where there are currently no clear-cut global leaders presenting an opportunity for India to take a pioneering role on the world stage, he emphasized.
“Gatishakti also aims to ensure seamless coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders, enabling everyone to operate from a shared foundation of accurate, real-time data. This, in turn, empowers informed decision-making at every level.”
Poor planning has resulted in India’s infrastructure being woefully inadequate in the past. Projects have often been delayed or cancelled due to insufficient planning. An example would be the scrapping of the planned metro stations in Chennai. India has not fully utilized the latest technological resources to improve its infrastructure.
It’s crucial to understand that improved infrastructure planning isn’t solely about connecting manufacturing centers to ports, roads, or airports for the ease of doing business; it’s also about enhancing the quality of life. Remote areas, for instance, may require better connectivity to schools and Anganwadi centers. PM Gati Shakti plays a pivotal role in improving the ease of living, she added.
He believes that the way forward is via evaluating the existing infrastructure deficit, procuring funds from private or public sources for infrastructure development, embracing appropriate technologies, and ensuring efficient planning.
In 2021, India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi unveiled a blueprint that aims to address this infrastructural inertia. At its core, the National Master Plan seamlessly integrates roads, railways, airways, waterways, and logistics—a multi-modal marvel.
The ambitious master plan places geospatial technology at its core. The adoption of a Geographical Information System (GIS) platform has proven instrumental in consolidating data related to physical assets, demographics, socioeconomic aspects, and geographical features across the nation.
By integrating diverse datasets, the master plan shifts decision-making from subjective to data-driven, leading to optimized and cost-effective infrastructure development. In less than two years since the launch of the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, 39 ministries of the Government of India and 36 states and union territories have adopted the Gati Shakti platform. The adopters have developed customized decision-making tools, expanded in-house capacities, and made significant strides in infrastructure planning through this platform.
The Network Planning Group meets regularly to evaluate projects, ensuring that every major infrastructure initiative in the country is designed to support multi-modality and multi-modal connectivity.
“We’re working diligently to harmonize efforts across ministries, ensuring that railway freight lines seamlessly integrate with roads, which, in turn, connect effectively with ports. In essence, our goal is to enhance overall connectivity and efficiency in the transport and infrastructure sector,” adds Sumita Dawra.
“In this way, we are experiencing a revolution in our decision-making processes, driven by data analytics for infrastructure planning. We’ve conducted 53 Network Planning Group meetings, appraising 96 projects worth approximately six lakh crore rupees.”
”We’ve also focused on Railway connectivity projects and the Energy Corridor, ensuring efficient connectivity across the country, eliminating last-mile infrastructure gaps with roads and ports. We are also working on connecting social sector assets to enhance overall development,” she emphasised.
PM Gatishakti’s core competency lies in its commitment to creating Geographic Information System (GIS) layers accessible to all. The benefits of datadriven decision-making are evident; it de-risks infrastructure investments, allows investors to have real-time project insights, and fosters comprehensive infrastructure planning.
A dynamic map of all infrastructure projects, developed by BISAG-N and built on open-source technologies is hosted securely on the GOI cloud platform aptly named Meghraj. In it, the National Master Plan (NMP) integrates over 1,450 layers of including 585 from central ministries and more than 870 from states or Union Territories (UTs). This data includes every planned and existing project of various ministries, complete with the imagery and location of that particular project.
These mapping efforts go through a comprehensive validation and verification process involving entities like the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the State Public Work Department (PWD), the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), and the Border Road Organisation (BRO).
The overarching vision of Gatishakti extends to data layers and the establishment of a robust data centre. It underscores the importance of local data collection and digitization. Gatishakti significantly streamlines this process, simplifying business operations, particularly in our sector, he adds.
Cadastral data, a fundamental layer, must be accurately positioned and cleansed to render it invaluable for DPRs. According to Javed Sheikh, States have generously contributed public cadastral data, expediting the DPR process.
Even with all this progress, challenges remain. PM Gati Shakti relies on the collection and sharing of geospatial data collected by different ministries for their respective purposes. There is nothing in the provision to emphasize the quality of the data as well as the value.
So, the volume of data that is collected may and may even not be useful for planning purposes. Most of the data is 2D in nature whereas the AEC community is moving to 3D – wherein a fusion of GIS, BIM, and Digital Twin comes into play. The modelling of data and interoperability and standards required with other AEC processes, cannot be met today with the data collected under the program alone.
“Having an integrated digital platform that provides real-time data not only for design and execution but also for operation, will add tremendous economic value. The technological landscape is evolving every day, and the embedded technology in PM Gati Shakti will help India stay ahead of the curve.”
Without meticulous attention to data accuracy, relevance, and timeliness, the potential insights that could shape India’s infrastructure landscape might remain untapped. The intricate web of geospatial information loses its effectiveness if not all stakeholders synchronize their efforts.
For a streamlined design and construction phase, a holistic geographical context is paramount. If the collected data fails to align with foundational themes and layers, the problem of clashes during the project lifecycle persists.
By prioritizing data quality, value, and currency, and fostering collaboration among ministries, PM Gati Shakti can metamorphose into a Digital Twin platform.
At its core, PM Gati Shakti is essentially a 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) map incorporating over 1600 layers of data. Government departments across India have contributed their GIS data, including satellite imagery, to this platform. State governments have also been tasked with adding between 24 to 28 layers of data, depending on their specific needs.
For instance, in the context of road infrastructure planning, PM Gati Shakti enables engineers to visualize the terrain in 3D, allowing for better road slope design. Additionally, users can access data layers that provide information on subsoil conditions, facilitating foundation planning, he added.
What sets PM Gati Shakti apart is its ability to provide critical contextual data. It can show the locations of forests, mining leases, and geological wealth across the country, among other things.
Infrastructure, notably road networks, has always played a significant role in driving economic expansion. One instance that showcases the efficiency of Gatishakti is the cross-border connectivity project between India and Nepal. This project, planned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, will connect the Indo-Haldia Nepal border to the Haldia Port. It is set to reduce travel time from 18 hours to 7 hours and facilitate connectivity to 30 economic nodes across 14 districts.
The Bharatmala project, another one of the key components of the PM Gati Shakti plan also provides a framework for coordinating the implementation of this project along with other infrastructure projects, such as the Sagarmala project, the UDAN scheme, and the expansion of the railway network.
Within the framework of Bharatmala Pariyojana, the focus is on developing approximately 26,000 km of Economic Corridors. These corridors, in conjunction with the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) and North-South and East-West (NS-EW) Corridors, are anticipated to handle a significant portion of freight traffic on roadways.
“The Gati Shakti framework is a holistic approach to infrastructure development, which aims to integrate various modes of transportation and create a seamless network. This will help to reduce the time and cost of freight movement on highways across countries”, believes Amit Kumar Ghosh.
“We have seen an improvement in the average speed in the economic corridors,” Ghosh added. “This is due to the coordinated efforts of various government agencies and the private sector. We are committed to further improving the infrastructure in the country and making it easier to do business.” Construction of roadways and road networks has always resulted in a substantial increase in the demand for materials such as steel, cement, and bitumen. This domino effect can have far-reaching positive consequences across various sectors of the economy.
PM National Master plan ensures efficiency across different sectors of the economy. Accurate modelling and integration of various types of information are of utmost importance towards this is precisely where platforms like PM Gati Shakti come into play. They serve as an essential tool to integrate diverse data sources.
Green highways are an integral part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity. The plan aims to develop a holistic infrastructure ecosystem in India, with a focus on sustainability and environmental protection. Green highways are those that are designed and constructed with minimal environmental impact.
They incorporate features such as tree planting, rainwater harvesting, and solar energy generation. “Sustainability and pollution control are paramount concerns along our roads. The concept of Green Highways, with ample room for indigenous vegetation, not only nurtures our ecology but also champions’ sustainability. It’s a stride toward curbing carbon emissions,” affirmed Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd.), Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation, Govt. of India.
The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan also includes a number of initiatives for the development of green highways. These include Greenfield expressways that the government plans to develop 22 Greenfield expressways across India.
These expressways will incorporate features such as tree planting, solar energy generation, and rainwater harvesting. Existing highways will also have solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems which will help it in being environmental friendly. The government also plans to develop 35 multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs) across India.
These will be designed to be green and sustainable, with rainwater harvesting, solar energy generation, and waste management systems being prominent features. As of date, 14 Social Sector Ministries/ Departments have been on-boarded, namely Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Post, Department of School Education and Literacy, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Department of Youth Affairs, Department of Sports, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of AYUSH.
Moreover, the plan’s successful implementation is anticipated to alleviate the tax burden on citizens, granting them greater financial autonomy.
The Indian Railways stands as an integral pillar of the country’s infrastructure, boasting the distinction of being the world’s fourth-largest railway network, spanning an impressive 67,956 kilometres. Its significance in the Indian economy is undeniable, contributing over 2% to the nation’s GDP.
Given its role in India’s economic landscape, the integration of the Indian Railways into the PM Gatishakti Master Plan becomes not just a choice, but a need. A step towards this integration is the introduction of a 2000 km network, a vital component of the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan. This innovative network will harness the power of the indigenously developed Kavach technology, a system engineered to prevent train collisions, thereby ensuring better security.
Simultaneously, this network will undergo upgrades in capacity ultimately leading to a reduction in congestion and a significant boost in efficiency. As part of the larger scheme to modernize the fleet, the unveiling of 400 new Vande Bharat trains within the next three years is indeed a noteworthy endeavour. With their strategic deployment on major routes across the nation, the Vande Bharat trains will pave the way for heightened connectivity and a substantial reduction in travel time, bridging the geographical divide.
Diversification of focus brings forth yet another commendable initiative – the establishment of 100 cargo terminals within the next three years. This strategic move aligns with the Indian Railways’ broader vision of fostering multimodal logistics facilities. By offering an integrated suite of services including warehousing, packing, and transportation, these terminals become a hub of efficiency for shippers and receivers.
Sources in the railway ministry talk about technology like RFID and GPS tracking, whose terminals not only ensure the secure movement of goods but also elevate the logistics ecosystem to a new standard.
We must break down the barriers that separate various transportation systems, ensuring full visibility into railways, waterways, and road transport operations. This approach enables seamless coordination and resource sharing, helping us avoid unnecessary duplication, such as constructing redundant roads.” he added.
This vision shows the integration of all technological components and the active involvement of stakeholders. The objective is to enhance planning, streamline integration, facilitate smoother onboarding processes, and foster stronger collaborations. It is abundantly clear that continuing to work in isolated silos will prove costly. Consequently, all digitization processes and systems are converging into a unified framework.
“Another Ministry that PM Gati Shakti has been able to bolster as a vital engine of economic progress is the Inland Waterways. The enhancement of the logistics framework is paramount, as a robust economy hinges upon a well-functioning logistics system. The logistic policy spearheaded by the government is accelerating project execution and fostering development.
With 111 waterways crisscrossing our land, our logistics landscape has been significantly enriched.
One of the projects is the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1 (NW-1) which is being implemented at a cost of Rs 5369.18 crore with the technical assistance and investment support from the World Bank. The IBP route promises connectivity through Bangladesh to the northeastern states.
“It will improve connectivity between different modes of transportation and lead to increased trade. This will create more jobs and attract investments. It will also reduce logistics costs, thereby making businesses competitive and more profitable. PM Gatishakti will enhance export and trade, fuel urbanization, and encourage investments.”
It is expected to reduce logistics costs to GDP, establish new multi-modal cargo terminals, and facilitate synergy among various government departments.
The plan has achieved remarkable progress in the last two years. The foundation of a comprehensive digital platform at the national level serves as a pivotal achievement. It seamlessly connects state-level master plan portals, ministry planning portals, and specialized planning tools, fostering a holistic approach to infrastructure development.
“By making decisions grounded in data, the plan garners greater acceptance and leads to more optimized infrastructure development at cost-effective rates,” adds Dr. Ahirwar.
PM Gatishakti lowers the cost of transportation thereby improving farmer’s income and enhancing food security.
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