Can India Build Faster? DPIIT Reviews ₹4,904 Cr Mega Infra Projects in AP & TN

As India dreams of becoming a $5 trillion economy, the country’s infrastructure needs to not only grow—it needs to grow fast. But when multiple stakeholders, clearances, and land acquisition hurdles are involved, how do mega projects stay on track? That’s the question the Centre is trying to answer through a series of high-level reviews. And this time, the spotlight is on Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

A Push From the Top: DPIIT Steps In

In a determined move to speed up India’s large-scale infrastructure pipeline, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently held a crucial review meeting under its Project Monitoring Group (PMG) framework. The focus? Clearing roadblocks on big-ticket projects worth over ₹4,904 crore that are currently underway in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

This was no ordinary review—it was a coordinated effort to bring together senior officials from central ministries, state governments, and private stakeholders on one table. The key agenda was to resolve persistent issues like land acquisition delays and pending forest and wildlife clearances that often push critical infrastructure timelines off track.

What’s at Stake? ₹4,904 Cr Across 9 Mega Projects

The meeting focused on 18 high-priority issues spread across nine infrastructure projects. Collectively, these are valued at more than ₹4,904 crore—an amount that reflects not just investment but also future opportunities for job creation, digital connectivity, and industrial growth.

Among the projects, one of the most significant was the ₹1,732 crore Multi-Product Pipeline connecting Irugur in Tamil Nadu to Devangonthi in Karnataka. Traversing through key industrial districts such as Coimbatore, Erode, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Krishnagiri, and Tiruppur, this pipeline is crucial for transporting petroleum products and supporting industrial activity in southern India.

However, the project has been bogged down by three land acquisition issues and one forest clearance delay—all in Tamil Nadu. These issues were specifically flagged for resolution during the review.

Digital India Gets a Boost: Jio’s 4G/5G Push

In addition to traditional infrastructure, digital infrastructure also featured prominently. Reliance Jio’s 4G/5G expansion project—a mission-critical initiative aimed at boosting high-speed internet connectivity in underserved regions—was another major project on the agenda.

This includes connectivity in strategically sensitive zones like Siachen, where digital access can have both strategic and developmental implications. Pending forest and wildlife clearances were discussed in the meeting, with officials stressing the need for quicker coordination with state governments to remove bottlenecks.

For India’s startup ecosystem—especially in deep-tech, edtech, and healthtech—this push toward greater digital penetration is crucial. Faster internet access in remote locations opens up a new world of opportunity for innovation and inclusion.

Who Led the Discussion?

The high-stakes meeting was chaired by Praveen Mahto, Principal Economic Advisor, DPIIT, who has been instrumental in anchoring infrastructure discussions under the PMG platform.

Speaking at the review, Mahto underlined the importance of institutional coordination and real-time monitoring in delivering infrastructure outcomes. He urged all project proponents—public and private alike—to actively use the PMG portal, a digital platform designed to track, flag, and resolve issues in real-time.

“Time-bound, cooperative efforts between the Centre, States, and industry are key to building a digitally empowered India,” Mahto emphasized.

Why It Matters for Startups

While this review may seem like a government housekeeping update on the surface, its implications are far-reaching—especially for the startup ecosystem.

Startups in logistics, digital infrastructure, clean energy, and agri-tech often depend on robust physical and digital infrastructure. Faster implementation of such projects means easier access to markets, reduced cost of operations, and more inclusive digital services.

Moreover, the commitment shown by the DPIIT—through real-time grievance redressal and proactive inter-ministerial coordination—sends a strong signal to the private sector, including startups and investors, about the government’s seriousness in enabling a faster, smarter India.

Building the India of Tomorrow—One Clearance at a Time

Infrastructure development in India is no longer just about laying roads or building pipelines. It is now intricately linked with economic growth, digital empowerment, and global competitiveness. And with initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and Digital India gaining momentum, reviews like these serve as a reality check—and a rallying cry.

By bringing all players to the table and unblocking critical clearances, DPIIT is showing that speed, accountability, and technology can go hand in hand—even in the complex world of infrastructure.