On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 54th meeting of PRAGATI in New Delhi. During the meeting, he reviewed infrastructure projects—including those related to railways, ‘PM Ekta Malls,’ and Bulk Drug Parks—with a total value exceeding ₹16,000 crore. These projects are being implemented across 31 states and union territories. PRAGATI serves as a platform that brings the central and state governments together to address bottlenecks in the implementation of projects and public welfare schemes, ensuring their timely completion.
Emphasis on Project Timelines and Coordination
While reviewing the progress of these projects, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of adhering to timelines, fostering coordination among various agencies, and ensuring the time-bound resolution of pending issues. He directed the concerned ministries and state governments to resolve any obstacles hindering these projects in ‘mission mode.’
Integrating PM Ekta Malls with Tourism and Local Businesses
Prime Minister Modi stated that ‘PM Ekta Malls’ should not only provide a marketplace for local products but also help strengthen the livelihoods of artisans and facilitate the expansion of their businesses. He emphasized linking these malls with tourism and local commerce. He noted that an increase in demand could also lead to more employment opportunities in rural areas, spanning sectors such as production, packaging, storage, and transportation. The Prime Minister instructed Chief Secretaries to conduct regular reviews of the progress of these Ekta Malls and ensure their timely completion.
Focus on Boosting Domestic Production of Raw Materials for Essential Medicines
During the review of Bulk Drug Parks in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi stressed the need to prioritize the domestic production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and inputs required for essential medicines. He stated that this would boost the domestic manufacturing of critical pharmaceutical components and strengthen the nation’s self-reliance.
Chief Secretaries to Review Welfare Schemes Monthly
The Prime Minister directed Chief Secretaries to conduct monthly reviews of welfare schemes in coordination with District Magistrates. He stated that this would help identify and address gaps in implementation, ensuring that the benefits of various schemes reach eligible beneficiaries in a timely manner. He emphasised that the focus of governance should not merely be on the amount of expenditure, but on the outcomes achieved. The utilisation of public funds must manifest as tangible and direct improvements in people’s lives.
Emphasis on coordinated efforts in Aspirational Districts and Blocks
Referring to the ‘Aspirational Districts’ and ‘Aspirational Blocks’ programmes, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of policy coordination, regular monitoring, and local-level accountability in accelerating development. He noted that sustained efforts to strengthen governance and improve the delivery of welfare schemes have helped approximately 250 million (25 crore) people escape multidimensional poverty.
Directive to accelerate the redevelopment of major railway stations
While reviewing the redevelopment of the Ahmedabad railway station, the Prime Minister called for expediting the redevelopment of major railway stations across the country. He stated that these redeveloped stations should function as multi-modal transport hubs, designed to enhance passenger convenience and streamline travel. He further emphasized the need for seamless connectivity between these stations and other networks, such as the metro, to facilitate easy transitions for passengers between different modes of transport.
Emphasis on establishing accountability for the timely completion of projects
The Prime Minister directed the concerned ministries and state governments to ensure the time-bound resolution of bottlenecks, foster better coordination between the Centre, states, and various agencies, and maintain rigorous monitoring at the senior level.
He underscored the need to cultivate a culture of greater responsibility and proactive engagement at every level. The Prime Minister stressed that potential implementation challenges should be anticipated in advance to enable timely decision-making, and that clear accountability must be fixed to ensure that projects are completed within their stipulated timelines.
