Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the status of key development projects with an investment of ₹76,500 crore in 11 states and Union Territories.
The review covered seven key projects which include two projects in the area of connectivity for roads, two in rail infrastructure, and one each in coal, power, and water resources sectors, the PMO statement said.
These projects are spread over Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi.
This review was the 44th edition of PRAGATI, an ICT-based multi-modal platform designed for proactive governance and timely project implementation, integrating both central and state governments. This was also the first PRAGATI meeting of the third term of the Prime Minister's tenure.
PM Modi emphasized that all departments at the Centre and State levels must realize that delays in projects not only lead to cost escalation but also deprive the public of benefits arising out of the project. The PMO statement said Modi also pushed for the "Ek ped Maa ke Naam" initiative for environmental protection while projects were implemented.
Further, the Prime Minister was informed about the AMRUT 2.0 initiative and public grievances under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The schemes are based on water issues in urban and rural cases, respectively. AMRUT 2.0-also known as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation-is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the aim to achieve drinking water and sanitation to every household in India.
PM Modi mentioned that water is a basic need for human survival and stressed the necessity of effectively addressing grievances at district and state levels. He called for the engagement of women self-help groups in the operation and maintenance of water projects and for training youth as well. He also advised carrying out the surveying of water resources at the district level and ensuring sustainability in respect of sources of water. It was suggested that the chief secretaries should monitor the initiatives of AMRUT 2.0 personally, besides planning for the future urban growth and needs.
He mentioned that the planning for a city's water supply should incorporate areas surrounding cities, as these areas become part of city limits as time passes. He pointed out that rapid urbanization makes reforms in urban governance, comprehensive urban planning, transport planning, and municipal finance imperative. He further called upon the employment of initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to meet the ever-increasing energy requirements of cities.
Drawing on deliberations made during the Conference of Chief Secretaries, PM Modi stressed that review of commitments by Chief Secretaries is imperative. He also called for sustained work on Mission Amrit Sarovar, underlining the need to keep the water catchment areas free of siltation, and desilt water bodies with the participation of Village Committees.
According to the PMO statement, as many as 355 projects with a cumulative cost of ₹18.12 lakh cr have been reviewed in PRAGATI meetings so far.
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