PM Modi reviews Rs 16,000 crore projects across 31 states, UTs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reviewed infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 16,000 crore across 31 states and Union Territories, directing ministries and state governments to accelerate implementation, resolve administrative bottlenecks and ensure that public spending delivers tangible benefits.

Chairing the 54th meeting of PRAGATI at his office, Seva Teerth, Modi assessed projects related to Railways, PM Ekta Malls and Bulk Drug Parks, with particular emphasis on implementation timelines, inter-agency coordination and accountability.

According to an official statement, the Prime Minister instructed senior officials to closely monitor progress and address delays through coordinated action between the Centre and states.

He stressed that governance should be judged by outcomes rather than financial allocations, with public expenditure translating into improvements in people's lives.

𝗣𝗠 𝗘𝗸𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀

Reviewing the progress of PM Ekta Malls, Modi said the facilities should provide wider markets for locally manufactured products and strengthen the livelihoods of artisans and small entrepreneurs.

He called for integrating the malls with tourism activities and local businesses to expand commercial opportunities for traditional producers.

According to the statement, the Prime Minister observed that greater demand for local products could generate employment across rural production, packaging, storage and transportation.

He directed chief secretaries to regularly review the progress of the malls and ensure their timely completion.

The PM Ekta Mall initiative was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 to promote and facilitate the sale of One District, One Product (ODOP) items, Geographical Indication (GI) products and handicrafts from across the country.

The initiative provides dedicated space for each state and Union Territory to showcase its ODOP products, with the objective of improving market access for local producers.

𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗸 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱

The Prime Minister also examined the progress of Bulk Drug Parks being developed in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other essential pharmaceutical inputs to reduce import dependence and enhance self-reliance.

Modi said the development of domestic production capacity was necessary for strengthening India's pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.

He directed officials to address implementation challenges promptly and maintain coordination among departments responsible for executing the projects.

𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀

During the review of the Ahmedabad railway station redevelopment project, Modi called for faster implementation of major station modernisation initiatives across the country.

He said redevelopment should prioritise passenger convenience, improved accessibility and smoother movement between different modes of transportation.

The Prime Minister emphasised that modern railway stations should function as multimodal transport hubs, providing seamless connectivity with metro systems and other public transport networks.

He asked the ministries and state authorities concerned to address infrastructure-related bottlenecks on a priority basis so that redevelopment projects could be completed within stipulated timelines.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱

Modi instructed chief secretaries to conduct monthly reviews of government schemes with district magistrates to identify implementation gaps and ensure that eligible beneficiaries received assistance without delays.

He said stronger coordination between administrative levels was essential for effective delivery of welfare programmes and infrastructure development.

Referring to the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks programmes, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of convergence among departments, regular monitoring and local accountability in accelerating development in underserved regions.

He also referred to government efforts to improve welfare delivery, noting that nearly 25 crore people had moved out of multidimensional poverty, according to the official statement.

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀

The Prime Minister reiterated that administrative efficiency should be measured by the impact of schemes and projects rather than the amount of money spent on them.

He urged officials to adopt a proactive approach, anticipate potential implementation challenges and take timely decisions instead of waiting for delays to escalate.

Modi also stressed the need for clear responsibility at every administrative level and closer monitoring of important projects by senior officials.

The PRAGATI platform, an information and communication technology-enabled system for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, brings together central ministries and state governments to review major projects, resolve implementation hurdles and improve the delivery of public services.

The 54th meeting focused on strengthening that coordination to ensure infrastructure projects and welfare initiatives were completed efficiently and delivered their intended benefits.