🛤️ 109th NPG Meeting: Boosting Multimodal Connectivity
The 109th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was successfully convened at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The primary focus of this meeting was to evaluate major infrastructure projects to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency, directly aligning with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
04
Total Projects Evaluated
02
Rail Projects
01 Each
Metro & Airport Projects
🚆 Major Railway Infrastructure Upgrades
The Ministry of Railways proposed two critical projects to augment operational capacity and network resilience.
📍 Jalandhar Cantt - Jammu Tawi (3rd Line)
- Length: 210.750 km across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Details: Includes 27 stations traversing key districts like Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, and Samba.
- Impact: Crucial for national security (faster movement of defense personnel) and enhances trade of agricultural and construction goods.
📍 Manikpur - Itarsi (3rd Line)
- Length: 518.532 km across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Details: Links northern and central India, passing through Chitrakoot, Jabalpur, and Narmadapuram.
- Impact: Reduces congestion, accommodates high passenger/freight traffic, and supports regional economic growth.
✈️ Aviation & Urban Mobility Enhancements
Alongside rail networks, the NPG evaluated significant proposals from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
- Doloo Greenfield Airport, Silchar (Assam): Located strategically adjacent to NH-27, this project aims to address the capacity limits of the existing civil enclave. It is expected to act as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the Cachar district, generating multiplier effects in logistics, tourism, and hospitality.
- Surat Metro Extension (Gujarat): A 4.4 km elevated extension of Corridor II (Phase I) from Saroli to the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor. It includes three stations (with provisions for two more) and will act as a dedicated feeder for seamless last-mile connectivity to the HSR.
📚 Prelims Quiz Corner
1. The proposed Greenfield Airport evaluated in the 109th NPG meeting is located in which state?
Answer: C
2. Which major transport corridor will the Surat Metro extension (from Saroli) serve as a dedicated feeder to?
Answer: B
Source Information: PIB Release ID: 2232546 (Feb 25, 2026)
Link to Original Press Release
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
