The Impact of PRAGATI Initiative on Efficient Governance in India

India’s quest for efficient governance has often been hindered by challenges in implementation within a vast federal structure. The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) initiative, spearheaded by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015, has emerged as a potent tool to navigate bureaucratic complexities. While it expedites national projects, its true efficacy is evident at the state level, where critical regional projects essential for economic progress are meticulously monitored. In Gujarat, PRAGATI reviews have systematically addressed hurdles in key infrastructure, energy, and social welfare projects, showcasing a robust model of cooperative federalism in action.

PRAGATI serves not only as a review platform but also as a proactive governance mechanism. Early dissemination of agendas at the start of each month triggers focused involvement from relevant state departments, district administrations, and implementing agencies. This proactive approach has led to the resolution of several issues before scheduled PRAGATI meetings, resulting in the exclusion of such items from the final review agenda, indicating state-level resolution prior to high-level intervention.

A Digital Synergy for State-Specific Acceleration

The crux of PRAGATI’s success lies in its ability to bring together the highest echelons of state and central administration on a unified, accountability-driven digital platform. This monthly interface enables detailed scrutiny of projects that might otherwise face delays due to inter-departmental conflicts or land acquisition challenges.

Cutting Across Departmental Silos for Strategic Growth: Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

By subjecting the DMIC to direct Prime Ministerial oversight through PRAGATI, issues involving the Dholera Special Investment Regional Development Authority, central ministries, and private stakeholders are promptly addressed. This streamlined process expedites decision-making, cuts through bureaucratic red tape, and provides clear, time-bound directives to all stakeholders, thereby accelerating a project crucial to India’s industrial future.

PRAGATI reviews have facilitated the timely infrastructure development of the Dholera International Airport and the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, a pivotal 109 km greenfield project linking Ahmedabad with the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). With a significant investment of ₹91,000 crore for the semiconductor fabrication plant, the region is poised to become India’s Semiconductor Hub, producing the country’s first indigenous chips. Such high-value central projects operating within state borders are ideal candidates for the PRAGATI framework, ensuring alignment between state execution and national vision.

Catalyzing Gujarat’s Green Energy Revolution

Gujarat leads the way in renewable energy, with PRAGATI playing a pivotal role in harnessing its vast potential. Several large-scale solar and wind projects underscore this commitment. Notable projects include the Khavda 1200MW Solar PV Project (₹6284 Cr), Khavda 1255 MW Solar PV Project (₹7180 Cr), Bhuj 300MW Solar PV Project (₹1443 Cr), and the associated transmission system for evacuating an additional 7 GW of power from the Khavda RE park (₹4231 Cr). The platform’s structured monitoring ensures seamless coordination between state departments and central entities, crucial for projects requiring complex land and environmental clearances.

Streamlining the Sardar Sarovar Command Area Development

Within the realm of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) and broader national irrigation initiatives, PRAGATI reviews led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister have been instrumental in transitioning from traditional flood irrigation to micro-irrigation systems. PRAGATI policy directives mandated the adoption of micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler as a fundamental requirement for project approval and funding. Concurrently, the Sardar Sarovar Project embraced an Underground Pipeline (UGPL) system following PRAGATI reviews, aiming to enhance efficiency and water delivery by conserving water, reducing land fragmentation, and minimizing construction timelines.

Beyond Infrastructure: The Social Mandate

PRAGATI’s scope extends beyond physical infrastructure to monitor the implementation of flagship social welfare schemes, ensuring last-mile delivery.

Key initiatives such as the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), PM Schools for Rising India (PMSHRI), and the “Lakhpati Didi” Scheme are diligently monitored on the PRAGATI platform. These efforts aim to enhance access to healthcare, modernize school infrastructure, and empower women through rural development, respectively. By scrutinizing these schemes at the highest level, PRAGATI reinforces accountability and ensures timely access to government services for the intended beneficiaries in Gujarat.

Empowering Gujarat: The Transformative Support of the Government of India via PRAGATI

Building on the success of PRAGATI at the national level, the Gujarat government introduced SWAGAT 2.0, an advanced system for managing grievances and projects. Inspired by PRAGATI’s structured escalation model for critical bottlenecks, SWAGAT 2.0 features an Auto Escalation Matrix and dedicated monitoring and performance dashboards. This system enables the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) to evaluate individual officials’ efficiency and identify districts with a high volume of unresolved grievances. Similar to PRAGATI’s approach to driving systemic reform through project reviews, SWAGAT 2.0 leverages dashboard data to pinpoint recurring issues necessitating policy-level changes rather than individual grievance resolutions. With SWAGAT 2.0, the Chief Minister of Gujarat personally reviews complex cases monthly, issuing stringent, time-bound directives for resolution, aligning with PRAGATI’s mandate of “Timely Implementation.”

The remarkable developmental journey of Gujarat serves as a testament to the visionary support and collaborative leadership provided by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Through the pioneering PRAGATI framework, the Central Government has extended invaluable assistance to the state, offering the technological infrastructure and strategic guidance necessary to unlock its full potential.

(The Author is IAS (R), Chairman GERC/ Ex- Chief Secretary Gujarat)