Source: New India Samachar, Vol. 6, Issues 17–18 (March 2026) | newindiasamachar.pib.gov.in
PRAGATI’s 50th meeting in 2026 marks a milestone in India’s experiment with technology-driven, PM-led infrastructure governance — reviewing ₹85 lakh crore worth of projects and resolving 92% of bottlenecks.
What is PRAGATI?
Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) is a multi-modal, multi-stakeholder ICT platform launched by the Prime Minister in 2015 for real-time monitoring, issue resolution, and implementation of flagship infrastructure projects.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | March 25, 2015 |
| Format | Video conferencing — PM with Chief Secretaries + Central Secretaries |
| Frequency | Monthly meetings |
| Platform | NIC-developed; integrates CPGRAMS, Pragati Cells, PMO |
| Scope | Central + State projects; public grievances |
50th Meeting — Key Numbers (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| National-level projects reviewed | 382 |
| Total value of projects reviewed | ₹85 lakh crore |
| Total issues raised | 7,735 |
| Issues resolved | 7,156 |
| Resolution rate | 92% |
Capital Expenditure Growth (PRAGATI Era)
| Year | Capex (₹ lakh crore) |
|---|---|
| FY 2014 (pre-PRAGATI) | 4.26 |
| FY 2020 | 7.53 |
| FY 2025-26 | 15.53 |
| Growth | ~265% in 11 years |
Landmark Projects Unblocked by PRAGATI
Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge, Assam
- Sanctioned: 1997 | Completed: December 25, 2018 (21 years!)
- Cost: ₹5,920 crore | Length: 4.94 km (India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge)
- Connection: Dibrugarh–Dhemaji | Travel time: 24 hours → 3 hours
- Strategic: Critical for Northeast connectivity + defence mobility
Saryu Nahar National Project, Uttar Pradesh
- Sanctioned: 1978 | Inaugurated: December 2021 (43-year delay!)
- Canal network: 318 km main canal + 6,590 km linkages
- Beneficiaries: 29 lakh farmers across 9 districts
- Irrigation: 14 lakh hectares | Final cost: ₹10,000+ crore
JP Setu (Patna Ganga Rail-cum-Road Bridge)
- Sanctioned: 2001 | Completed: March 2022
- Cost: ₹3,774 crore | Length: 4.55 km
- Cargo capacity: 27.8 million tonnes/year
- CO₂ reduction: 1.49 billion kg (equivalent to 60 million trees)
Kosi Rail Mahasetu, Bihar
- Sanctioned: 2003-04 | Inaugurated: September 2020
- Cost: ₹516 crore | Length: 1.9 km
- Travel time: 8 hours → 30 minutes
- Historic: Restored a rail link destroyed in the 1934 Bihar earthquake
Eastern-Western Peripheral Expressway
- Length: 270 km | Cost: ₹11,000 crore
- Completed in 500 days (target: 910 days)
- First Indian expressway using solar energy (135 km solar corridor)
Top Categories of Bottlenecks Resolved
| Bottleneck Type | Share |
|---|---|
| Land acquisition | 35% |
| Forest/wildlife/environment clearances | 20% |
| Right of Use / Right of Way | 18% |
| Construction approvals | 7% |
| Power utility approvals | 6% |
| Law & order | 3% |
| Financial issues | 3% |
| Others | 8% |
Infrastructure Achievements (2014–2026)
| Sector | 2013-14 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Operational airports | 74 | 159 |
| National highway length | ~91,000 km | 1,46,204 km |
| Highway construction rate | 11.6 km/day | 34 km/day |
| JJM tap water connections | 3.23 crore | 15.44 crore |
UPSC Relevance
GS2 — Governance:
- E-governance for project monitoring: PRAGATI as model
- Centre-State coordination mechanism
- Delay in infrastructure as governance failure — accountability tools
- Compare: PRAGATI (project monitoring) vs GatiShakti NMP (planning) vs PM-DevINE (NE development)
GS3 — Infrastructure:
- Capex multiplier effect (NIP — National Infrastructure Pipeline: ₹185 lakh crore)
- Land acquisition bottleneck: RFCTLARR Act 2013 challenges
- Forest clearances: Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023
- PPP vs public investment debate
Key Distinctions:
- PRAGATI ≠ PM Gati Shakti: PRAGATI is a review/accountability platform; PM Gati Shakti NMP is a multi-modal planning tool
- PRAGATI ≠ CPGRAMS: CPGRAMS handles citizen grievances; PRAGATI handles project bottlenecks
Facts Corner
- PRAGATI: Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation; launched March 25, 2015
- 50th meeting (2026): 382 projects reviewed; ₹85 lakh crore; 92% issues resolved (7,156 of 7,735)
- Capex growth: ₹4.26 lakh crore (FY14) → ₹15.53 lakh crore (FY26) — ~265% growth
- Bogibeel Bridge: 4.94 km; India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge; 21-year delay resolved
- Saryu Nahar: 43-year delay (1978–2021); 29 lakh farmers; 14 lakh ha irrigated
- National highways: 91,000 km (2014) → 1,46,204 km (2025); pace: 34 km/day
- Airports: 74 (2014) → 159 (2025)
