Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the 51st meeting of PRAGATI at Seva Teerth this morning with the aim of promoting “Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation” by seamlessly integrating the efforts of the Central and State Governments. PRAGATI is an ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed seven important infrastructure projects in the railway, power, and road sectors, totaling approximately ₹30,000 crore. These projects are spread across nine states. Critical for economic development and public welfare, these projects were reviewed with a special focus on timelines, coordination among various agencies, and timely resolution of issues. The Prime Minister also reviewed the Ken-Betwa Link Project and the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0.
Reviewing power sector projects, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar in urban areas, with a special focus on cities, residential clusters, and public institutions. He emphasized that rooftop solar should be pursued in mission mode to reduce electricity costs, improve energy security, and promote clean energy at the household and community level.
While reviewing the road and port connectivity projects, it was emphasized that Vadhavan Port should be developed as a model of ‘port-led, multi-modal development’ where every major mode of transport is connected in such a manner with the aim of creating a future-ready logistics ecosystem. The project should be seen not just as a port but as a national gateway, linked to coastal shipping, inland waterways, dedicated freight corridors, high-speed rail connectivity, highways and airports.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for effective implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and underlined that the Mission should not be limited to creating infrastructure alone but should also ensure tangible results through regular monitoring, citizen participation and coordination among various stakeholders. He asked the states to expedite the construction of solid waste management infrastructure, including waste processing plants and ‘Gobardhan’ plants.
Reviewing the Ken-Betwa river linking project, the Prime Minister said that the Ken-Betwa project should serve as a model for other states to resolve inter-state water disputes through mutual cooperation, timely clearances, technology-based monitoring and working in ‘mission-mode’. States were encouraged to identify other similar opportunities where river linking, water conservation, groundwater recharge and efficient irrigation can be taken up in an integrated manner to ensure water security for the future.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that delays in implementing public projects not only increase costs but also deprive citizens of timely access to essential amenities and development benefits. He said that every delay has a direct impact on people’s lives, regional development, and public resources. He stressed that ministries, departments and states should adopt a more proactive and time-bound approach to resolve pending issues, remove bottlenecks and expedite work.
The Prime Minister also stressed that innovative ways to utilize the canal network should be considered, including installing solar panels along and above the canals to generate clean electricity. This would help make better use of land, reduce evaporation losses, create renewable energy, and generate additional economic benefits from water infrastructure.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary informed that, as per the Prime Minister’s directives, a system of monthly review of social sector schemes at the state level has also been initiated. This system aims to ensure regular monitoring, prompt resolution of implementation issues, and greater accountability at the state and district levels. As part of this initiative, the Swachh Bharat Mission has been selected as the first state-level review initiative. (PIB)
