Govt Reviews Infrastructure Challenges in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

The review session examined 25 key issues related to 15 major projects, including five under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, with a combined project cost exceeding INR 10,396 crore.

The Project Monitoring Group (PMG) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently convened to address critical bottlenecks affecting mega infrastructure projects in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The review session examined 25 key issues related to 15 major projects, including five under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, with a combined project cost exceeding INR 10,396 crore.

Focus on ESIC Hospitals and Healthcare Expansion

A major highlight of the discussion was the status of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals in the two states. These hospitals are essential for providing healthcare benefits, including specialized treatments, medicines, and hospitalization, to insured workers and their families. The review sought to expedite construction and operationalization by addressing delays related to land acquisition, clearances, and inter-departmental coordination.

Reliance Jio’s 5G/4G Expansion and Connectivity Challenges

Another critical agenda item was Reliance Jio’s 5G/4G network expansion. The meeting focused on expediting pending forest and wildlife clearances in collaboration with State Governments to facilitate better connectivity in uncovered and remote areas. The project’s scope includes enhancing 4G infrastructure and expanding 5G services to challenging locations, including border regions like Siachen, which is of strategic importance.

Government’s Commitment to Resolving Project Delays

The review session was chaired by Shri Praveen Mahto, Principal Economic Advisor to DPIIT, and attended by senior officials from Central Ministries, State Governments, and project stakeholders. Shri Mahto emphasized the government’s commitment to reinforcing the institutional framework for project monitoring and urged authorities to take a proactive stance in resolving project delays.

Call for Greater Private Sector Participation

Shri Mahto further encouraged private stakeholders to leverage the PMG mechanism ((https://pmg.dpiit.gov.in)) to accelerate project execution. Enhanced collaboration between the Central Government, State Authorities, and private investors is pivotal in ensuring that infrastructure projects are completed efficiently and within stipulated timelines.

This review underscores the government’s focus on removing bureaucratic and procedural hurdles to fast-track infrastructure development, ultimately boosting economic growth and improving public welfare in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.