Delays in infrastructure projects cost more, halt benefits: PM Modi during projects' review
The projects, spanning the railway, road and power sectors, were reviewed with a focus on timelines, inter-agency coordination and removal of pending hurdles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a review of six infrastructure projects, estimated to cost over ₹30,000 crore, during the 53rd PRAGATI meeting. The projects, spanning railway, road, and power sectors across nine states, faced scrutiny for their timelines, inter-agency coordination, and unresolved bottlenecks such as land acquisition and forest clearances.
Modi emphasized that delays in infrastructure development inflate costs and delay the intended benefits for citizens, businesses, and the economy. Key projects under review included the ₹12,334-crore Son Nagar-Andal railway line in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, which is 21% complete and aims to ease congestion on the Delhi-Howrah route.
The ₹3,086-crore Luni-Samdari-Bhildi railway doubling project in Rajasthan and Gujarat, 30% complete, is designed to boost freight connectivity. The ₹2,139.62-crore Behsuma-Bijnor section of NH-119 in Uttar Pradesh, 51% complete, is now projected to be finished by December 2026, a shift from the May 2026 deadline. West Bengal's Dalkhola-Islampur-Ghoshpukur-Salsalabari section of NH-31D, valued at ₹5,452.72 crore, is expected to enhance Northeast connectivity.
Modi stressed the importance of viewing infrastructure projects as integrated systems rather than isolated components, advocating for common utility corridors and a balanced approach between speed and quality. He also highlighted the need for greater utilization of artificial intelligence and agricultural data through AgriStack, which has registered 10.28 crore Farmer IDs and is already supporting crop-loss assistance and MSP procurement.
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