India’s infra ambitions to get a new X factor: The military

News: The government is preparing to involve the Ministry of Defence in India’s infrastructural planning to build dual-use infrastructure, which can be utilised for both civilian and military needs. This initiative is being planned under Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti, also known as the National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity.

1. The Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Yojana was launched in 2021 to enhance the infrastructural development in India by promoting integrated and efficient multimodal connectivity.

2. It has been developed as a Digital Master Planning tool by BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics).

3. It aims at developing holistic infrastructure by integrating the infrastructure schemes of central and state governments.

4. The benefits of the scheme include faster project execution, reduced logistics costs, integrated infrastructure development, improved connectivity.

5. The 6 Pillars of PM Gati Shakti Yojana are: A) Comprehensiveness B) Prioritisation C) Optimisation D) Synchronisation E) Analytical Capabilities F) Dynamic Review and Monitoring

6. The 7 engines driving the plan are railways, roads, ports, waterways, airports, mass transport and logistics infrastructure.