With funds no longer remaining a constraint for infrastructure sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting for reviewing the progress of work, being done by various infrastructure ministries and departments, called for quick resolution of inter-departmental and Centre-state issues to speed up the pace of implementation of infrastructure projects. He also pitched for expediting electrification of the country, including through solar energy, and integrating the railway as well as coastal networks for development.
In the meeting, wherein the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog made a presentation on various infrastructure sectors including power, coal, renewable energy, ports and coastal development, roads, and railways, Prime Minister suggested that policy think-tank should focus on quick resolution of inter-departmental and Centre-state issues to speed up the pace of implementation of infrastructure projects.
Further, PM directed all concerned departments of the government to work towards creating a holistic framework and environment that will be conducive for investment. While expressing upon the need for exploring innovative solutions for ensuring total rural electrification, including solar energy, power connectivity through nearby railway infrastructure, and off-grid solutions, PM instructed the ministries concerned to work in a 'Mission mode' towards achieving electrification of the remaining 20,000 unelectrified villages, in a clearly defined time-frame.
Separately, while reviewing plans for augmenting solar power generation capacity in the country, Prime Minister recommended involvement of BCCI in an effort to convert power consumption of all major cricket stadiums across the country from conventional energy to solar energy.
Lastly, he also called for a fundamental change in the approach towards redevelopment of railway stations and development of areas contiguous to railway corridors that run through major cities in the country.