Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 54th meeting of PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) at Seva Teerth in New Delhi on October 28, reviewing infrastructure projects worth over ₹16,000 crore across 31 States and Union Territories. The projects covered Railways, PM Ekta Malls and Bulk Drug Parks, with discussions focusing on implementation timelines, coordination between agencies and resolution of project-related bottlenecks.
During the meeting, Modi called for accelerating the redevelopment of major railway stations, citing the ongoing redevelopment of Ahmedabad railway station. He said modernised stations should function as multimodal transport hubs, with seamless connectivity to metro services and other transport networks to improve passenger convenience.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the role of PM Ekta Malls in providing market access to local products, supporting artisans’ livelihoods and helping small enterprises expand. He called for linking the malls with tourism and local businesses, noting that increased demand could generate employment in rural production, packaging, storage and transportation. Chief Secretaries were asked to regularly review progress and ensure timely completion of the projects.
Reviewing Bulk Drug Parks in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Modi stressed the need to prioritise domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and essential pharmaceutical inputs to strengthen self-reliance in the sector.
He further directed Chief Secretaries to review government schemes with District Magistrates every month to identify implementation gaps and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements on time. Referring to the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks programmes, he highlighted the importance of coordination between schemes, regular monitoring and local accountability in accelerating development in underserved areas. He also noted that sustained efforts to improve governance and welfare delivery had helped nearly 25 crore people move out of multidimensional poverty.
Modi called on the concerned ministries and State Governments to resolve implementation hurdles in mission mode, strengthen Centre-State and inter-agency coordination, and maintain close monitoring at senior levels. He stressed the need to anticipate challenges, take timely decisions and establish clear accountability to ensure projects are completed according to schedule.
