Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed top bureaucrats and state chief secretaries to proactively address and resolve issues causing delays in infrastructure projects, emphasizing that they should not wait for reviews at his level to fix accountability. This directive was given during a web-based Pragati meeting, where Modi reviewed eight critical infrastructure projects across various sectors, including mines, railways, water resources, industrial corridors, and power, spanning 15 states and Union Territories with a cumulative investment exceeding ₹65,000 crore.
During the Pragati meeting, Cabinet Secretary T V Somananthan presented a progress report on steps taken by the central and state governments to expedite projects delayed by decades. These included the 83-km Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian new railway line project in Punjab, the North Koel Reservoir project in Bihar and Jharkhand, and the 5th Stream Refinery Expansion at Nalco's plant in Odisha. Modi had previously reviewed these projects in June and instructed officials to include them in the agenda for the recent meeting.
Modi urged officials to develop strategies for better coordination to resolve issues and ensure that project execution is not delayed. He noted a trend where approvals and clearances are expedited when a project is included for review at a Pragati meeting, and he emphasized that this should be a natural, ongoing process. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) released a statement saying that Modi urged officials at both the central and state levels to adopt a result-oriented approach, translating opportunities into an improved quality of life for people and advancing the goals of ease of living for citizens and ease of doing business for enterprises.
Modi cautioned that delays in execution impose a double cost, escalating project expenditure and depriving citizens of timely access to essential services and infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of states and UTs institutionalizing mechanisms for regular review and monitoring of flagship projects to ensure timely implementation and effective resolution of bottlenecks. He also urged all states and UTs to prioritize reforms aimed at improving competitiveness, strengthening efficiency, and fostering innovation across sectors, noting that better preparedness through these reforms would enable them to seize emerging opportunities swiftly.
The Pragati platform, an ICT-enabled multi-modal platform, serves as a bridge between the Centre and States to fast-track major projects and ensure time-bound delivery. Modi has also suggested states implement review mechanisms similar to Pragati to monitor and resolve issues. During the meeting, Modi reportedly inquired whether disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against any erring officials.
