Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review. The platform exemplifies cooperative federalism, bringing together the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Over a decade, PRAGATI has helped accelerate decision-making, resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects, and instilled a strong culture of accountability.

 

The 2.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) Padur Strategic Crude Oil Storage project involves the construction of underground rock caverns forming a core component of India’s Phase-I Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) programme, along with facilities at Visakhapatnam and Mangaluru. During the execution, a 36-kilometre-long crude oil pipeline was required to facilitate crude oil transfer to the caverns, along with a 10-kilometre-long 110 kV power transmission line to ensure a reliable power supply. Although the Right of Use (RoU) had been acquired for 34.4 kilometres, RoU for the remaining 1.6 kilometres could not be secured due to local resistance. As a result, the project faced the risk of indefinite delay in commissioning. The matter was taken up for review on 22nd April 2015 under the PRAGATI mechanism, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was subsequently reviewed again on 23rd March 2016. During these PRAGATI reviews, the project’s implementation status was examined, and the Government of Karnataka was specifically directed to provide the required Right of Use (RoU) for the crude oil pipeline and the associated power transmission line. As a direct outcome of PRAGATI driven intervention, the Padur Strategic Crude Oil Storage Project achieved 100 per cent physical progress and was successfully commissioned by 31st December 2018. The project stands as a model example of how PRAGATI driven governance translates strategic intent into timely outcomes.