Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launches District Version of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for Aspirational Districts

New Delhi: On the occasion of the third anniversary of the PM GatiShakti initiative, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, today launched the district version of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, aimed at enhancing infrastructure development in 27 aspirational districts across India. Speaking at the launch event, Shri Goyal emphasized that GatiShakti is a “super intelligent tool” for infrastructure planning and announced plans to expand the District Master Plan to over 750 districts within the next 18 months.

Additionally, Goyal unveiled the “Guidelines for Preparing City Logistics Plans for Indian Cities,” designed to help urban centers tailor their logistics planning according to their unique vision and local characteristics.

In his address, Goyal described the National Master Plan as a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective instrument that will enable India to create world-class infrastructure. He noted that speed and strength are now defining features of India’s global reputation for delivering modern infrastructure on time and with high quality. “This tool will be utilized by the world for their infrastructure planning in the future,” he remarked.

The Minister highlighted the significance of incorporating geospatial and cutting-edge technologies into the PM GatiShakti Master Plan, marking a transformative step in enhancing connectivity across the nation. He assured that all data within the PM GatiShakti platform undergoes rigorous validation and periodic updates, reinforcing the platform’s reliability. Applauding the efforts of the BISAG-N team for developing the master tool, Goyal called PM GatiShakti a “superior intelligence” system that will enable more efficient infrastructure planning and significant budget savings for the government.

Goyal further elaborated that PM GatiShakti serves as the cornerstone of various infrastructure outreach programs, generating a multiplier effect on the economy and propelling India to become one of the fastest-growing economies globally. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for envisioning the potential of spatial technologies two decades ago and translating that vision into reality, particularly in Gujarat.

The Minister also emphasized the expansion of PM GatiShakti to encompass social infrastructure, highlighting initiatives to map power distribution lines, schools, and hospitals using an “Area Development Approach.” He underscored the importance of integrating ease of doing business with ease of living, stating that both concepts are interconnected and essential for holistic development.

To complement the launch, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organized a comprehensive meeting with stakeholders of the GatiShakti platform, including representatives from Central and State Governments. This gathering aimed to review the platform’s performance and brainstorm strategies to enhance its utility for infrastructure planners at both levels.