The 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 and resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects and instilled a strong culture of accountability. In this special series, today our correspondent takes a look at the four-laning of the Lucknow-Sultanpur section of National Highway-56 of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The Four-Laning of the Lucknow-Sultanpur section of NH-56, spanning over 127 kilometres, constitutes a critical upgrade of road infrastructure in central and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It was approved on 4th May 2016 at a cost of two thousand 16 Crore rupees. The corridor traverses the districts of Lucknow, Barabanki, Amethi and Sultanpur.
Despite steady progress on engineering works, the project encountered significant constraints during implementation, primarily linked to land acquisition and environmental management. Out of a total requirement of 686 hectares, only 337 hectares were initially available, leaving a balance of nearly 349 hectares pending acquisition.
The project was reviewed by the Prime Minister in the PRAGATI meeting held on 25th April 2018, which proved to be a decisive turning point. During the review, the Government of Uttar Pradesh was directed to expeditiously acquire and hand over the balance of the land and disburse compensation without delay.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in coordination with the State Government, was directed to maintain accelerated work speed and ensure close monitoring of execution. Following the directions after PRAGATI meeting, the Government of Uttar Pradesh intensified land acquisition efforts, enabling full possession of the pending land.
With statutory and land-related constraints removed, NHAI significantly ramped up deployment of men and machinery. The project achieved 100 percent physical progress and was commissioned on 30th April 2019. The project exemplifies how PRAGATI-enabled coordination and timely decision-making can overcome land and environmental challenges to deliver transformative infrastructure. The upgraded Lucknow-Sultanpur section of NH-56 has delivered far-reaching socio-economic benefits.
