Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the 54th meeting of PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation), an ICT-enabled multi-modal platform that brings together Central and State Governments to address implementation bottlenecks and improve project delivery and welfare scheme implementation.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed infrastructure projects worth over ₹16,000 crore across 31 States and Union Territories, covering Railways, Ekta Malls, and Drug Parks. These projects were assessed with focus on timelines, inter-agency coordination, and timely issue resolution.
Regarding PM Ekta Malls, the Prime Minister emphasized they should provide markets for local products, strengthen artisans' livelihoods, and help expand their enterprises. He called for linking the malls with tourism and local businesses, noting that increased demand could create employment in rural production, packaging, storage, and transportation. He stressed regular progress reviews by Chief Secretaries to ensure timely completion.
The review of Bulk Drug Parks in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh highlighted the need to prioritize domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and essential inputs to strengthen self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector.
The Prime Minister issued specific instructions to Chief Secretaries to review schemes with District Magistrates every month to address implementation gaps and ensure timely benefits delivery to eligible beneficiaries. He emphasized that governance must focus on outcomes rather than outlays, ensuring public expenditure translates into tangible improvements in citizens' lives. Referring to the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, he highlighted the role of convergence, regular monitoring, and local accountability in accelerating development in underserved areas. He noted that sustained governance strengthening efforts have helped nearly 25 crore people move out of multidimensional poverty.
During the review of Ahmedabad railway station redevelopment, the Prime Minister called for expediting the redevelopment of major railway stations across the country to improve passenger convenience and travel ease. He emphasized that redeveloped stations should serve as multimodal transport hubs with seamless connectivity to metro and other transport networks.
The Prime Minister directed concerned Ministries and State Governments to resolve bottlenecks in mission mode, strengthen Centre-State and inter-agency coordination, and ensure close monitoring at the senior-most level. He called for a proactive work culture with greater ownership at every level, emphasizing the need to anticipate implementation challenges, take timely decisions, and fix clear accountability for completing projects on schedule.