From Metro rail projects in lucknow to airport construction in Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reviewed the progress of several key projects across the nation and urged the States to remove bottlenecks in infrastructure creation.
Known for his hands-on approach towards infrastructure creation, the PM spoke directly to Chief Secretaries of States, senior Government officials and project executives through the video conferencing programme called PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation).
The PM reviewed the progress of lucknow Metro Rail Project and the third phase of the Mumbai Metro Project passing through Colaba and Bandra. The high-level meeting also reviewed crucial coal and iron ore mining projects in eastern States.
Modi asked the officials to be proactive in the creation of 17 solar energy parks across the country and prevent delays in getting patents and trademarks on par with global standards for several projects. During his interaction, the PM stressed on the need to expedite the process of granting patents and trademarks. The two issues are part of the PM’s flagship program ‘Make in India’. Though the ambitious initiatives have completed one year, Modi was not entirely satisfied with the progress made in the area of awarding patents and trademarks.
“The Prime Minister expressed concern over the undue delay in processing of requests for patents and trademarks. The Prime Minister directed these processes to be brought in line with global standards, within a reasonable timeframe.
He also called for an overhaul of the patent application filing process, and a drastic reduction in the number of forms required for this process. He reviewed the progress of key infrastructure projects in the Railway, Metro Rail, coal and iron ore mining, road, power and aviation sectors, spread over several States,” said the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The Prime Minister also reviewed the Khurda-Bolangir new Broad Gauge Rail link, on the request of Odisha.
He reviewed the progress of the new Pakyong Airport in Sikkim, describing it as a crucial project for connectivity and development of tourism in the State, and urged the State to work proactively for its timely implementation,” added the statement.
The high-level meeting chaired by Modi took stock of the progress of the important Indian projects in Afghanistan, including the Parliament Building and the Salma Dam. The Prime Minister asked all departments concerned to ensure that development projects being implemented by India in the SAARC region were implemented expeditiously.
He also reviewed the progress of implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 and Aadhaar card enrolment, across the country, and emphasized the need for speedy implementation so that citizens can avail the benefits of these initiatives, said the PMO.