India’s PRAGATI platform, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has successfully expedited 340 infrastructure projects across the country, according to a study by Sa?d Business School, the University of Oxford, and the Gates Foundation. The digital governance initiative, known as Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), has significantly improved the delivery of infrastructure projects by driving accountability at the highest levels and fostering collaboration between federal and regional governments.

The study, titled From Gridlock to Growth, highlighted that these 340 projects, valued at USD 205 billion, had been delayed for anywhere from three to 20 years. PRAGATI has removed layers of bureaucracy and introduced a culture of accountability, with a "naming and shaming" approach that ensures officials are directly answerable for delays. This model has proven instrumental in overcoming long-standing bottlenecks and accelerating the completion of vital infrastructure projects.

The findings, presented at a symposium hosted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bengaluru, underscored the importance of technology in fostering cross-collaboration and regular reviews of project progress. Oxford’s Soumitra Dutta, who contributed to the study, emphasized that PRAGATI illustrates how leadership, combined with technology, can drive effective governance. He noted that while transitioning to such a system may require upfront investments and cultural shifts, the long-term benefits, including improved infrastructure reliability and public trust, are invaluable.

One of the significant outcomes of PRAGATI has been the increased responsiveness of ministries and departments to citizen grievances. Knowing their performance will be reviewed at the highest levels, officials now face data-driven scrutiny, which ensures better service delivery. The study also found that PRAGATI has fostered cooperative federalism, enabling the central and state governments to work together effectively, regardless of political differences. In India’s complex federal structure, this cooperation has been vital for overcoming political tensions and achieving shared development goals.

The study recommended further enhancing PRAGATI’s impact by incorporating state-specific issues into the platform’s reviews and encouraging direct state-to-state cooperation. Additionally, it suggested leveraging data analytics to identify successful state-level governance models and scaling them nationally. The study also emphasized the need for state officials to have the necessary resources and skills to advance their infrastructure and social development goals, ensuring equitable participation across all states, regardless of political affiliation.

In conclusion, PRAGATI has demonstrated how digital governance and leadership can transform infrastructure development, offering a model of efficiency and collaboration that could inspire other nations.

(This article is a reworked version of a PTI story)