Critically analyze the role of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the PM GatiShakti Master Plan in transforming India’s infrastructure landscape. भारत के बुनियादी ढांचे के परिदृश्य को बदलने में राष्ट्रीय अवसंरचना पाइपलाइन (एनआईपी) और पीएम गतिशक्ति मास्टर प्लान की भूमिका का आलोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए।

Q.8  Critically analyze the role of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the PM GatiShakti Master Plan in transforming India’s infrastructure landscape. भारत के बुनियादी ढांचे के परिदृश्य को बदलने में राष्ट्रीय अवसंरचना पाइपलाइन (एनआईपी) और पीएम गतिशक्ति मास्टर प्लान की भूमिका का आलोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए।

Ans:

The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the PM GatiShakti Master Plan are transformative initiatives aimed at addressing India’s infrastructural gaps and fostering economic growth. While NIP focuses on funding and executing large-scale projects, GatiShakti emphasizes seamless logistics and multi-modal connectivity.

Role of NIP and PM GatiShakti in Transforming India’s Infrastructure

1. Comprehensive Project Planning: NIP outlines a roadmap for infrastructure projects worth INR 102 lakh crores, covering energy, roads, railways, and urban development. Example: The Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, one of the world’s tallest railway bridges, is a testament to NIP’s focus on ambitious and sustainable projects.
2. Enhanced Coordination: PM GatiShakti integrates infrastructure planning across 16 ministries, ensuring better coordination and reducing delays. Example: The Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) under GatiShakti provides a single digital portal for transportation services, streamlining logistics.
3. Increased Public and Private Investment: NIP ensures a balanced contribution from the Centre (39%), States (40%), and the private sector (21%), fostering collaborative growth. Example: The Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) incentivizes states to invest in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, promoting equitable development.
4. Focus on Multimodal Logistics: GatiShakti aims to reduce logistics costs to under 10% of GDP and improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index. Example: The Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors (EDFC and WDFC) enhance freight movement, freeing up passenger networks and reducing congestion.
5. Digital and Social Infrastructure: NIP and GatiShakti prioritize digital infrastructure, with schemes like Digital India and Telecom Technology Development Fund. Example: A 200% increase in rural internet subscriptions (2015-2021) highlights the success of these initiatives in bridging the digital divide.
6. Economic Multiplier Effect: Studies by the RBI and NIPFP show that every rupee spent on infrastructure yields 2.5 to 3.5 rupees in GDP growth. Example: The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and KRISHI-UDAN scheme have boosted trade and agricultural exports, respectively.

Challenges and Criticisms:

1. Implementation Delays: Large-scale projects often face land acquisition and environmental clearance issues.
2. Regional Disparities: While Tier 1 cities benefit, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities still lag in infrastructure development.
3. Private Sector Hesitation: Despite incentives, private sector participation remains limited due to regulatory hurdles.

The NIP and PM GatiShakti Master Plan are pivotal in transforming India’s infrastructure landscape, fostering economic growth, and improving quality of life. However, addressing implementation challenges and ensuring equitable development will be crucial for realizing India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

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Keywords:  Master Plan , infrastructural gaps, large-scale projects, multi-modal connectivity.

Extra Info : 6 Pillars of PM Gati Shakti PM Gati Shakti is based on six pillars: Comprehensiveness: It will include all the existing and planned initiatives of various Ministries and Departments with one centralized portal. Each and every Department will now have visibility of each other’s activities providing critical data while planning & execution of projects in a comprehensive manner.Prioritization: Through this, different Departments will be able to prioritize their projects through cross-sectoral interactions.Optimization: The National Master Plan will assist different ministries in planning for projects after identification of critical gaps. For the transportation of the goods from one place to another, the plan will help in selecting the most optimum route in terms of time and cost.Synchronization: Individual Ministries and Departments often work in silos. There is lack of coordination in planning and implementation of the project resulting in delays. PM Gati Shakti will help in synchronizing the activities of each department, as well as of different layers of governance, in a holistic manner by ensuring coordination of work between them.Analytical: The plan will provide the entire data at one place with GIS based spatial planning and analytical tools having 200+ layers, enabling better visibility to the executing agency.Dynamic: All Ministries and Departments will now be able to visualize, review and monitor the progress of cross-sectoral projects, through the GIS platform, as the satellite imagery will give on-ground progress periodically and progress of the projects will be updated on a regular basis on the portal. It will help in identifying the vital interventions for enhancing and updating the master plan.