Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 51st PRAGATI meeting on Wednesday, 27 May, and reviewed seven critical infrastructure projects across the Railways, Power and Road sectors, covering 9 States with a cumulative investment of around ₹30,000 crore.
The meeting was held at Seva Teerth through PRAGATI, the ICT-enabled multi-modal platform aimed at Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation by integrating the efforts of the Centre and State governments.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the projects reviewed were examined with a focus on timelines, inter-agency coordination and timely resolution of pending issues.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the Ken-Betwa Link Project and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 during the meeting.
While reviewing power sector projects, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to accelerate rooftop solar adoption in urban areas, with special focus on cities, residential clusters and public institutions.
He said rooftop solar should be taken up in mission mode to reduce electricity costs, improve energy security and promote clean energy at the household and community level.
During the review of road and port connectivity projects, it was emphasised that Vadhavan Port should be developed as a model of port-led, multi-modal development.
The project should not be seen merely as a port, but as a national gateway connected through coastal shipping, inland waterways, dedicated freight corridors, high-speed rail connectivity, highways and airport linkages, according to the PMO.
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The Prime Minister also stressed the need for effective implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.
He said the mission should move beyond infrastructure creation and ensure measurable outcomes through regular monitoring, citizen participation and convergence between different stakeholders.
States were asked to expedite the completion of solid waste management-related infrastructure, including waste processing plants and GOBARdhan plants.
While reviewing the Ken-Betwa River Inter-linking Project, the Prime Minister said the project should serve as a model for other States to resolve inter-State water issues through cooperation, timely clearances, technology-based monitoring and mission-mode execution.
States were also encouraged to identify similar opportunities where river-linking, water conservation, groundwater recharge and efficient irrigation can be taken up in an integrated manner for long-term water security.
The Prime Minister underlined that delays in public projects lead not only to cost escalation but also deprive citizens of timely access to essential facilities and development benefits.
He said every delay has a direct impact on people’s lives, regional growth and public resources.
The Prime Minister stressed that ministries, departments and States must adopt a more proactive and time-bound approach to resolve pending issues, remove bottlenecks and ensure faster execution.
He also called for innovative use of canal networks, including the installation of solar panels along canals and over canals for clean electricity generation.
According to the PMO, this would help optimise land use, reduce evaporation losses, generate renewable energy and create additional economic value from water infrastructure.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary informed that a system of monthly review of social sector schemes at the State level has been operationalised following the Prime Minister’s directions.
The mechanism is aimed at ensuring regular monitoring, faster resolution of implementation issues and greater accountability at the State and district levels.
As part of this initiative, Swachh Bharat Mission has been taken up for review at the State level in the first instance.
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