Rs 16,000 Crore Push: PM Modi Reviews Mega Projects at 54th PRAGATI Meeting
PM Narendra Modi chairs the 54th PRAGATI meeting, reviewing Rs 16,000cr projects across 31 States and UTs to ensure timely execution and growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 54th PRAGATI meeting at Seva Teerth, conducting a comprehensive review of infrastructure projects valued at over Rs 16,000 crore. Spanning 31 States and Union Territories, the review focused on accelerating the pace of development, removing administrative bottlenecks, and ensuring that government expenditure translates into real-world benefits for the citizenry.
PRAGATI, an ICT-enabled multi-modal platform, stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. It serves as a critical bridge between the Central and State Governments, allowing for the direct resolution of issues that hinder the delivery of welfare schemes and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Transforming Transit: Railway Stations as Multimodal Hubs
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the modernization of India's rail infrastructure. While specifically reviewing the redevelopment of the Ahmedabad railway station, Prime Minister Modi called for the expedited redevelopment of major stations across the nation.
The Prime Minister emphasized that these stations should not merely be transit points but should evolve into multimodal transport hubs. This vision includes creating seamless connectivity between railways, metro systems, and other transport networks to enhance passenger convenience and ease of travel.
Empowering Local Talent via Ekta Malls
The Prime Minister placed a strong emphasis on the role of PM Ekta Malls in boosting the local economy. He envisioned these malls as vital marketplaces for local products, designed to strengthen the livelihoods of artisans and enable them to scale their enterprises.
To maximize the impact, PM Modi suggested:
- Linking Ekta Malls with tourism and local businesses to drive demand.
- Creating a ripple effect of employment in rural areas through production, packaging, storage, and transportation.
- Ensuring Chief Secretaries conduct regular progress reviews to guarantee timely completion.
Strengthening Pharma Self-Reliance
Addressing the critical need for medical security, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of Bulk Drug Parks in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. He stressed the urgency of prioritizing the domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other essential inputs to reduce dependency on imports and strengthen India's self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector.
Governance Shift: Outcomes Over Outlays
In a call for administrative reform, PM Modi urged a shift in focus from "outlays" (spending) to "outcomes" (tangible results). He insisted that public expenditure must lead to visible improvements in the lives of the people.
To ensure this, the Prime Minister directed Chief Secretaries to review schemes with District Magistrates on a monthly basis. This approach is intended to bridge implementation gaps and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive their benefits without delay.
Impact on Underserved Areas
The Prime Minister highlighted the success of the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, attributing their progress to local accountability, regular monitoring, and convergence of efforts. He noted that these sustained governance improvements have contributed to nearly 25 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty.
Closing the session, Prime Minister Modi urged concerned Ministries and State Governments to resolve all pending bottlenecks in "mission mode," stressing the importance of robust Centre-State coordination to ensure the long-lasting benefits of these projects.