Why in news?
The 99th meeting of the NPG was held on September 2, 2025, chaired by Shri Pankaj Kumar (Joint Secretary, Logistics, DPIIT).
 
Recent Activities

• Four major infrastructure projects were evaluated: one highway/road project (Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways) and three rail projects (Ministry of Railways), including greenfield and brownfield developments.
• The projects were scrutinized for PM GatiShakti’s principles: integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic/social nodes, and “whole of government” coordination.
• The anticipated outcomes include reduced travel times, improved logistics efficiency, and significant socio-economic benefits for the regions impacted.

About Network Planning Group (NPG)

The Network Planning Group (NPG) is an institutional mechanism under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, responsible for unified and integrated planning of connectivity infrastructure across India by facilitating inter-ministerial coordination and data-driven decision-making for major projects.
 
Structure and Composition

• NPG comprises heads of Network Planning Divisions from all connectivity infrastructure ministries and departments, including roads, railways, ports, aviation, power, telecommunications, and more.
• It works closely with the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), which approves changes to the master plan and monitors its implementation.

Functions and Mandate

• NPG evaluates infrastructure proposals for technical viability, last-mile connectivity, multimodal integration, and adherence to PM GatiShakti objectives.
• Infrastructure projects with investment above ₹500 crore are routed through NPG for scrutiny before implementation.
• The group helps synchronize project timelines, avoid duplication, and promote holistic regional development.
• NPG also aims to reduce logistics costs and travel time by optimizing network design and supporting economic zones creation.

Approach and Importance

• NPG’s collaborative framework bridges silos between government departments, state governments, and private stakeholders.
• It leverages geospatial and technical data to identify infrastructure gaps, prioritize projects, and enable integrated solutions that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits.
• By maintaining regular consultations and planning at a national level, the group ensures robust multimodal connectivity and efficient utilization of resources.
• The Network Planning Group is thus central to India’s modern infrastructure development, ensuring projects are planned and executed efficiently, sustainably, and in alignment with national priorities.

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