A study titled "From Gridlock to Growth: How Leadership Drives India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem" published by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and the Gates Foundation, explores the remarkable success of the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) initiative.
It asserts that decisive leadership combined with innovative governance has transformed infrastructure development in India, setting a precedent for other nations facing similar challenges.
BACKGROUND
· It was launched on March 25, 2015.
· PRAGATI embodies the "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" approach,
· The programme champions collaboration, transparency, and technology to fast-track India’s growth while addressing citizen grievances and ensuring accountability.
· The core function of PRAGATI is to act as an integrated platform that enables the real-time monitoring of government projects and schemes, especially those that are crucial for the development of India.
· The platform facilitates the regular review of major projects, addressing issues such as delays, cost overruns, and bottlenecks in implementation.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Unblocking Progress: PRAGATI has reviewed 340 stalled projects worth Rs.17.05 lakh crore ($205 billion) since its launch nine years ago till June 2023.
2. Delays Minimised: Structured monthly reviews and digital tools have slashed project timelines from decades to mere months i.e. in such projects that were stuck between 3-20 years.
Striking Outcomes Witnessed
· Bogibeel Bridge: Completed in 3 years after over a decade of delays.
· Jammu-Baramulla Rail Link: On track for completion by 2025, overcoming years of stagnation.
· Navi Mumbai Airport: Resolving 15+ years of land acquisition hurdles, set for launch by December 2024.
· Bengaluru Metro Rail, Karnataka: timely review expedited land acquisition for Phase 1, enabling the 42 km, 40-station metro to transform urban mobility and improve air quality since 2017.
· Haridaspur-Paradeep Rail Connection, Odisha: resolved funding and investor-contractor deadlocks by granting the Ministry of Shipping equity, expediting land acquisitions, clearances, and coordination, leading to the rail line's inauguration in 2020.
· ROAD: Dahisar-Surat Section, National Highway 8, Maharashtra & Gujarat: By 2014, a project that was stalled started witnessing significant progress after 2017 PRAGATI's review, allowing the service road to be built with safeguards for wildlife and compensation agreements for landowners.
· ROAD: Varanasi-Aurangabad Section, National Highway 2, UP & Bihar: only 20% of the road widening was completed in five years due to antiquated land records challenges diluted and it found a better pace after the PRAGATI review. The project is now set for completion later this year.
· Jal Jeevan Mission: Household running water access soared from 17% in 2019 to 79% by 2024.
In each of these projects over 25 issues were identified and addressed
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
· PM Modi personally chairs the PRAGATI meetings, making it a high-priority initiative within the government.
· By directly reviewing the implementation of policies and schemes, PM Modi helps set the direction for effective governance. His ability to interact with state and central officials through PRAGATI allows for swift course corrections when needed.
· PM Modi's direct involvement has enhanced urgency and accountability, turning delays into on-time delivery.
· Through PRAGATI, PM Modi has reinforced the government’s commitment to transparency.
THE DYNAMIC IMPACT of PRAGATI
Tech-Powered Execution: digital dashboards & drone monitoring: driving real-time transparency and streamlined progress across sectors like roads, power, railways, and aviation.
Inspiration for Other Central Government Schemes: PRAGATI’s influence now extends beyond infrastructure, driving key development initiatives like:
o The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), launched in 2023 used to PRAGATI approach to transform 46 border villages. With a Rs. 4,800 crore budget, VVP focuses on women and youth empowerment, improving connectivity, and enhancing health and tourism facilities.
o Additionally, PRAGATI's review meetings have led to the adoption of technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM) in housing projects.
o Drone technology in the SVAMITVA initiative provides rural property owners, especially women, with clear land ownership records, empowering them with legal recognition and access to financial services.
o Spillover effect from Completed Infrastructure – Studies by the Reserve Bank of India and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy estimate that for every rupee spent on infrastructure, the country sees a 2.5- to 3.5-rupee gain in GDP.
PAST INSTANCES: THE NARENDRA MODI STYLE OF WORKING: BREAKING SILOS AND CATALYSING ACTION
· As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi pioneered breaking silos and fostering collaboration.
o Used Chintan Shivirs to foster inter-departmental dialogue and remove progress barriers.
o Direct Engagement: A hands-on approach drives policies into actionable results by assigning senior officials to ground sites to get real-time updates.
o Crisis Management: showcased exceptional crisis management, particularly during natural disasters in Gujarat, where his swift coordination of relief efforts earned him a reputation for effective governance.
o Technology in Governance: Before PRAGATI, digital platforms in Gujarat were used to enhance service delivery and set the stage for future initiatives.
PRAGATI goes beyond infrastructure development; it drives social upliftment and fosters sustainable innovation, benefiting all stakeholders across the nation.
It has revolutionised India’s bureaucracy, supporting it to realise its full potential and shifting from a system of delays and inefficiency to one of transparency, real-time communication, and rapid execution. It becomes a powerful example of cooperative federalism, where center and state governments work together for shared goals, overcoming political differences.
