The PRAGATI platform, launched by the Indian government in 2015, has revolutionized the delivery of the country’s infrastructure projects. A report by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and the Gates Foundation highlights how this platform has improved accountability, reduced delays, and enabled unprecedented collaboration between federal and regional authorities.
Key Findings from the Report
The report titled From Gridlock to Growth: How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress was released at the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru. It analyzes the impact of the PRAGATI platform on 340 projects worth $205 billion across India, focusing on major infrastructure initiatives such as railways, roads, and power plants.
How PRAGATI Works
PRAGATI, or Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, utilizes digital tools like video conferencing, geo-spatial technology, and digital dashboards to fast-track projects. The platform is overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally chairs monthly review meetings, ensuring direct leadership involvement.
Impact of PRAGATI on Infrastructure Projects
Before the launch of PRAGATI, project delays ranged from three to 20 years. With the intervention of PRAGATI, these delays have been drastically reduced. For instance, the Bogibeel Bridge, which had been delayed for over a decade, was completed in just three years.
The report examined eight PRAGATI projects, including:
- Rail Projects: Bogibeel Bridge (Assam), Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, Bangalore Metro (Karnataka), Haridaspur-Paradeep Rail Connection (Odisha).
- Road Projects: Dahisar-Surat section of National Highway 8, Varanasi-Aurangabad section of National Highway 2.
- Power and Airports: North Karanpura Thermal Power Plant (Jharkhand), Navi Mumbai Airport (Maharashtra).
Leadership and Digital Technology
The report credits the platform’s success to high-level leadership and the use of digital technology. Soumitra Dutta, Dean of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, emphasized the importance of combining digital governance with direct leadership involvement to ensure the success of projects.
Expanding Beyond Infrastructure: Social Initiatives
PRAGATI has also been instrumental in accelerating social initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission, which increased tap water connections in water-scarce regions. The number of households with access to running water grew from 17% in 2019 to 79% in 2024.
Integration with Other Digital Governance Tools
PRAGATI is part of a broader digital governance framework that includes:
- PM Gati Shakti: For infrastructure planning.
- PARIVESH: For environmental clearances.
- Project Monitoring Group: For tracking project progress. These tools have drastically reduced the approval time for environmental clearances from 600 days to just 70-75 days.
Cultural Shift in Bureaucracy
SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro, highlighted how PRAGATI instilled a cultural shift within India’s bureaucracy. The direct involvement of the Prime Minister created a sense of urgency, causing projects to move quickly, and fostering better coordination between the Centre and states.
Global Lessons from PRAGATI
The report concludes that PRAGATI offers a model for other developing nations. The key takeaway is the importance of decisive leadership in driving progress and serving citizens more effectively.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main focus of the PRAGATI platform?
- a) Political reforms
- b) Digital education
- c) Fast-tracking infrastructure projects
- d) Environmental protection
- Which of the following is NOT a project assessed in the PRAGATI report?
- a) Bogibeel Bridge
- b) Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link
- c) Digital education initiative
- d) North Karanpura Thermal Power Plant
- What technology does PRAGATI use to monitor infrastructure projects?
- a) Virtual reality
- b) Geo-spatial technology and video conferencing
- c) Artificial intelligence
- d) Blockchain technology
- What is one of the social initiatives accelerated by PRAGATI?
- a) Swachh Bharat Mission
- b) Jal Jeevan Mission
- c) Make in India
- d) Digital India
- How much did the approval time for environmental clearances reduce under PRAGATI?
- a) From 600 days to 200 days
- b) From 600 days to 70-75 days
- c) From 600 days to 30 days
- d) From 500 days to 100 days
- What is the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the PRAGATI platform?
- a) He monitors projects indirectly.
- b) He chairs monthly review meetings.
- c) He approves the projects.
- d) He manages the digital tools used in PRAGATI.