PRAGATI @ 50: A Decade of Cooperative Governance and Project Delivery for UPSC
Q. With reference to the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform, consider the following statements:
1. It is a three-tier system involving the PMO, Central Secretaries, and State Chief Secretaries.
2. It draws inspiration from the SWAGAT initiative launched in Gujarat in 2003.
3. It integrates geo-spatial technology for real-time monitoring of project sites.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Context
The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform recently marked its 50th meeting milestone, completing a decade of transforming India's governance landscape. Since its launch in 2015, the platform has been instrumental in fast-tracking major national projects worth more than ₹85 lakh crore.
What is PRAGATI?
PRAGATI is an integrated and interactive platform designed to monitor and review key programs and projects of the Government of India, along with projects highlighted by State Governments. It also serves as a mechanism for addressing citizen grievances.
Key Features:
- Three-Tier System: It brings together the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of States.
- Technology Integration: Uniquely combines digital data management, video conferencing, and geo-spatial technology.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Allows the Prime Minister to directly engage with officials with up-to-date visual evidence from project sites.
- Integration: It incorporates other platforms like PM GatiShakti, PARIVESH, and the PM Ref Portal.
The Evolution: From SWAGAT to PRAGATI
The concept of PRAGATI is inspired by SWAGAT (State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology), which was launched in Gujarat in April 2003.
- SWAGAT: Focused primarily on grievance redressal at the state level.
- PRAGATI: Scaled the underlying discipline of SWAGAT to the national level, expanding the focus from individual grievances to driving delivery across complex, multi-agency infrastructure projects.
Decade of Impact: Key Statistics
Over the last decade, PRAGATI has reshaped bureaucratic processes and accountability:
- Total Project Value: Over ₹85 lakh crore worth of projects fast-tracked.
- Projects Reviewed: 382 major national projects have been systematically monitored.
- Issue Resolution: Out of 3,187 identified issues, 2,958 have been resolved (approx. 92.8% resolution rate).
- Recent Milestone: In its 50th meeting, five critical projects across Road, Railways, Power, Water Resources, and Coal sectors (spanning 5 states) worth ₹40,000 crore were reviewed.
Landmark Projects Unlocked
Several projects stalled for decades were decisively moved forward through PRAGATI interventions:
- Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge (Assam): Conceived in 1997, completed in 2018.
- Navi Mumbai International Airport: Conceptualized in 1997, phase I inaugurated in October 2025.
- Bhilai Steel Plant Modernization: Approved in 2007; resolved 15-year delays.
- UER-II (Delhi): Strategic road infrastructure project for Delhi-NCR mobility.
- Atal Setu (MTHL): India's longest sea bridge (21.8 km) monitored under this framework.
Global Recognition
Oxford University’s Said Business School published a case study titled "From Gridlock to Growth: How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress." It highlighted PRAGATI as:
- A global benchmark for real-time project monitoring.
- A "Single Source of Truth" for inter-governmental coordination.
- An institution in cooperative federalism that ensures apolitical, uniform attention to developmental goals.
🎯 Analysis & Insights
Prelims mastery
Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Reasoning: All three statements are correct. PRAGATI integrates digital data, video conferencing, and GIS (geo-spatial) technology. It was inspired by the SWAGAT model from Gujarat and involves real-time coordination between the Centre and States.
Mains perspective
"PRAGATI represents a shift from sequential dependence to modular execution in Indian governance." Discuss the significance of PRAGATI in strengthening cooperative federalism and accelerating infrastructure delivery in India. (150 words)