During an unusual press briefing with numerous secretaries from various ministries, the cabinet secretary highlighted that in over 3,300 projects valued at ₹85 lakh crore reviewed during Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) meetings led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 7,735 issues were identified, with 7,156 successfully resolved.
PRAGATI serves as a review mechanism aimed at hastening projects that have faced delays for several reasons. Routine issues are addressed at the ministry level, while more complex and critical challenges are escalated for further review.
Somanathan remarked that PRAGATI utilizes a multi-tier follow-up system to assure timely decision implementation. Projects are monitored and tracked by the Cabinet Secretariat, while schemes and grievances receive ministry-level oversight, with ongoing PMO supervision and ultimately the prime minister’s attention, he stated.
Speaking at the press conference, the country’s top bureaucrat noted that of the 7,156 issues resolved through PRAGATI, 35% were related to land acquisition, 20% to forest, wildlife, and environmental concerns, and 18% to right of use/way, with other delays arising from law and order, construction, power utility approvals, and financial issues.
When asked about potential changes to the land acquisition policy, which has been a significant hurdle for timely project execution, the cabinet secretary emphasized, “There is no plan to alter the land acquisition policy.” He indicated that all projects exceeding ₹500 crore are examined by the PRAGATI platform, and states are eager to solve their issues through this mechanism, which originated nearly a decade ago.
“All states, regardless of their political affiliations, strive to complete their projects, and all chief secretaries have been very proactive in resolving issues,” Somanathan informed reporters.
He mentioned that 61 government initiatives, including ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’, ‘PM Jan Aarogya Yojna’, ‘PM AWAS Yojna’, ‘PM SWANIDHI Yojna’, and ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, along with grievances from 36 sectors, were reviewed.
Somanathan stated that as many as 382 projects have been scrutinized by the prime minister under PRAGATI, and of the 3,187 issues raised in these projects, 2,958 have been resolved.
Among the 382 projects evaluated by the prime minister, 114 were related to roads and highways, 109 to railways, 54 to electricity, 20 each to petroleum and coal, 17 to housing and urban development, and 13 to health and family welfare.
Regarding the most challenging project encountered by the PRAGATI mechanism, Somanathan pointed to the 272-km Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, valued at ₹42,760 crore. Initially approved on March 31, 1994, it was commissioned on June 6, 2025. He noted that as of June 24, 2015, the project was 40% complete and reached 60% by November 6, 2019.
Transport Secretary V Umashankar indicated that the New Delhi-Mumbai expressway has been among the most challenging road projects that PRAGATI dealt with, eventually being cleared after overcoming multiple obstacles.
Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar remarked that following the completion of the Jammu-Srinagar rail link, a new category of travelers has emerged along the route, attracted by the food and scenic beauty.
Somanathan stated that among the resolved cases, 73% of the delays stemmed from land acquisition, forest/wildlife/environment issues, and right of use/way. Of the projects reviewed by the prime minister, 71% pertained to similar issues, he added.
On average, one issue was resolved every working day after review under PRAGATI, the cabinet secretary noted.
He emphasized that issues are first tackled at the ministry level, while complex and critical matters are escalated through established institutional channels for higher-level review, culminating in PRAGATI meetings chaired by the prime minister.
The escalation framework guarantees coordinated inter-ministerial action, timely decision-making, and focused resolution of implementation challenges in projects of national significance, Somanathan stated.
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The cabinet secretary pointed out that time and cost overruns have been persistent issues in India’s public projects. He highlighted that Prime Minister Modi conceptualized PRAGATI in 2015 to address these challenges.
Somanathan referenced a study by the Said Business School titled “From Gridlock to Growth — How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress,” which asserts that the PRAGATI platform serves as a compelling case study in digital governance driving progress.
“This platform represents India’s commitment to surmount bureaucratic inertia and promote a unified team India ethos along with a culture of accountability and efficiency,” the study concluded. “This holistic approach ensures that India’s development remains both inclusive and sustainable.” Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat, Manoj Govil, Power Secretary Pankaj Aggarwal, Secretary for DPIIT Amardeep Singh Bhatia, and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju were also present at the press conference.
