Introduction
PM Gati‑Shakti, launched in October 2021 and institutionalized via the Gati‑Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), is a digital infrastructure platform designed to unify project planning across 16 Central ministries and state governments. It aims to resolve inter-departmental siloes, accelerate implementation, and enable integrated multi‑modal connectivity across sectors like roads, railways, logistics, power, telecom, and urban infrastructure. This comprehensive infrastructure coordination tool is rooted in the principles of cooperative federalism, enabling states to align with national priorities while retaining autonomy. Reddit+2CompetitionPedia+2Lukmaan IAS+2CompetitionPedia+5Wikipedia+5Lukmaan IAS+5
How PM Gati‑Shakti Embeds Cooperative Federalism
Empowered Groups of Secretaries (EGoS)
To operationalize the PM Gati‑Shakti framework, 36 States and Union Territories have constituted State-level Empowered Groups of Secretaries (EGoS)—typically chaired by the Chief Secretary—to integrate state-level master plans with the national plan. These bodies manage state-specific logistics policies, project review, and implementation oversight. The Hindu Business Line
State Master Plans & Institutional Replication
Eight states—including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, UP, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka—have begun drafting state master plans mirroring the national model, incorporating project examination units (NPG) and technical support units (TSU) for synchronized planning. These institutional replications foster a truly federal partnership. ThePrintCompetitionPedia
Capital Assistance & Incentivised Reform
Under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure scheme (2022), states receive up to ₹1 lakh crore as 50‑year interest-free loans for capex projects, including PM Gati‑Shakti initiatives. This financially incentivizes states to align their infrastructure planning with national visibility while keeping priorities grounded in local needs. The Times of India+15CompetitionPedia+15The Financial Express+15
Project Impact & State-Level Examples
Rail Projects & Inter-State Benefits
In Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Gati‑Shakti facilitated approval for the Wardha–Ballarshah fourth railway line and additional lines in Ratlam–Nagda, involving ₹3,399 crore investments. The projects link 784 villages, serve nearly 19.7 lakh people, generate over 74 lakh workdays, and are expected to handle 18.4 million tonnes of freight annually—reflecting both national strategy and state development goals. Maharashtra’s CM hailed the coordinated plan as crucial to Vidarbha’s logistical infrastructure. The Times of India
Northern Railway & Northeastern Connectivity
In the North East, integrated mapping of rail lines under PM Gati‑Shakti is connecting capitals like Guwahati, Itanagar, Agartala, and Aizawl (with Imphal in progress). This improves strategic integration with ASEAN corridors and national cohesion. Wikipedia
Strengthening Federal Collaboration in Practice
Formal Dialogue & Zonal Councils
Regular platforms such as Central Zonal Councils, NITI Aayog forums, and ministerial interactions have amplified state-centre coordination. Madhya Pradesh’s CM emphasized the shift from rivalry to partnership, noting that cooperative forums under initiatives like Gati‑Shakti strengthen the Team‑India ethos. Lukmaan IAS+14Drishti IAS+14The Times of India+14
Cross-Sectoral Integration via Technology
The Gati‑Shakti NMP consolidates over 600 data layers—covering rail, roads, optical fibres, pipelines, water bodies, forest cover, and power networks—onto one GIS platform for joint use by central and state agencies. It enables ministries to identify synergies—like telecom laying fibre along highway RoW—reducing cost and time. ThePrint+1CompetitionPedia+1
Challenges to Federal Equilibrium
State Autonomy vs Central Coordination
While Gati‑Shakti encourages alignment, concerns emerge that state flexibility may be limited by centrally defined priorities. Critics note some states—especially well-connected ones—receive fewer funds due to perceived lower infrastructure gaps. This dynamic has sparked debate over equitable access versus central standards. Drishti IASReddit
Capacity Gaps & Institutional Readiness
EGoS, NPG, and TSUs remain nascent in many states. Duplicating institutional structures requires governance capacity and administrative training, otherwise participation risks being symbolic rather than substantive. CompetitionPedia
Silo Persistence & Political Frictions
Despite integrated digital platforms, breaking bureaucratic siloes between state departments and central agencies requires continuous political buy-in and reform incentives. Historical tensions in Centre–state relations can stall seamless execution without trust-building measures. The Indian ExpressDrishti IAS
Recommendations for Deepening Cooperative Federalism
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Full State Rule Adoption & Budget Alignment
Mandate all states to formalize institutional frameworks (EGoS/NPG/TSU) with clear roles, resourcing, and budget lines. -
Transparent Incentive Structures
Ensure capex assistance under the special assistance scheme is fair—reflecting equity, local needs, and performance rather than broad eligibility scores. -
Capacity-Building for Institutional Units
Conduct zonal training workshops for EGoS and NPG units in project planning, GIS tools, logistics mapping, and multi-sector coordination. -
Make LEADS Data Visible and Actionable
Public dashboards (via Logistics Ease Across Different States index) should feed into Gati‑Shakti planning—enabling state agencies to benchmark logistics performance and address bottlenecks. The Financial ExpressCompetitionPedia+1The Hindu Business Line+1 -
Regular Federal Dialogue Platforms
Institutionalize quarterly Inter-State Council and zonal meetings to share learnings, resolve coordination issues, and monitor mission implementation (beyond annual NITI forums). -
Ensure Project Alignment with Local Development Needs
Each state master plan should retain flexibility to integrate centrally shared plans (NMP) with local priorities like tourism, irrigation, industrial corridors, and border connectivity.
Conclusion
PM Gati‑Shakti exemplifies a digital-first, coordinated blueprint for federal infrastructure planning—transforming the relationship between Centre and states into one of shared ownership rather than unilateral execution. Through EGoS, state master plans, data-driven governance tools, and enhanced dialogue, it redefines cooperative federalism in India’s infrastructural era.
Yet meaningful success hinges on state readiness, equity-driven capital access, local institutional capacity, and political cooperation. By cementing these frameworks and ensuring state-led planning remains central, Gati‑Shakti can move India toward synchronized, inclusive, and resilient infrastructure delivery—anchored in federal partnership, not dominance.