Projects worth ₹25 crore and above need mandatory Gati Shakti mapping

LEH: All major development projects costing ₹25 crore and above in the Union Territory will now have to be mandatorily mapped on the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) Portal, marking a significant move towards integrated infrastructure planning and coordinated execution of large public projects.

The directive, issued through Order No. 406-LA(GAD) of 2026 dated September 7, covers projects taken up under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Special Development Programme (SDP) and State Sector Schemes.

The move follows a decision taken at the 3rd meeting of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary on July 28, 2026.

Under the new directions, all concerned Administrative Departments and Heads of Departments will be responsible for ensuring that projects meeting the ₹25-crore threshold are mapped on the PM Gati Shakti portal while they are being planned and processed.

The directive effectively makes Gati Shakti mapping an integral part of the project-planning process rather than an optional or post-approval exercise.

The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is designed as a GIS-based platform for integrating infrastructure planning across different sectors and government departments. Mapping projects on the portal allows proposed infrastructure to be viewed alongside existing and planned connectivity networks and other infrastructure assets, facilitating better coordination and reducing the possibility of duplication or fragmented planning.

For a geographically challenging region like Ladakh, the requirement assumes particular significance. Large infrastructure projects involve substantial logistical, environmental and connectivity considerations, while multiple agencies are often involved in their planning and execution. Bringing projects onto a common spatial platform could help departments assess linkages with roads, power, water supply, telecommunications and other infrastructure before projects are taken forward.

The mandatory threshold of ₹25 crore means the directive will primarily affect major capital-intensive works rather than routine departmental projects.

The Planning, Development & Monitoring Department had moved the proposal, which was subsequently notified by the General Administration Department. The order directs all concerned departments and Heads of Departments to ensure compliance with the mapping requirement during the planning and processing of eligible projects.

Officials have thus been placed under a clear obligation to incorporate PM Gati Shakti portal mapping into the project cycle, potentially making inter-departmental coordination and spatial planning a key consideration before large-scale infrastructure investments are advanced.