NEW DELHI, MAY 28 — Delayed public infrastructure projects directly stall regional growth and deplete public funds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned during a high-level review of federal and state programs.
Presiding over the multi-modal PRAGATI interactive session, the Prime Minister evaluated seven multi-state development projects and directed central ministries and state departments to adopt a proactive approach to clear pending bottlenecks. He maintained that the timely execution of public infrastructure remains vital for economic growth.
The Prime Minister gave specific focus to water security, stating that state governments should cooperate closely to resolve pending resource disputes. According to an official statement, the Prime Minister noted that integrated water conservation, efficient irrigation, and river-interlinking methods are required to safeguard regional supplies.
“During yesterday’s PRAGATI session, projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore were reviewed,” Modi said, adding that the evaluation also included urban sanitation frameworks and social sector schemes.
Reviewing the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, Modi stated that the program must move beyond building infrastructure to focus on measurable outcomes. He directed states to accelerate the construction of solid waste processing units and GOBARdhan plants through increased citizen participation and strict monitoring.
Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan noted at the start of the session that a new monthly review system has been operationalized at the state level to ensure greater accountability for social sector programs. Officials stated that the urban sanitation mission is the first initiative being tracked under this revised monitoring framework to ensure faster resolution of field issues.
