Prime Minister Narendra Modi began 2026 by extending New Year greetings to the nation and urging citizens to work towards harmony and well-being. In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister wished the country good health and prosperity, and offered prayers for success in people’s efforts as India entered the new year.
Mr Modi’s message came amid nationwide celebrations, with fireworks, prayers and public gatherings observed in cities, hill towns and religious centres. Opposition leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also posted New Year wishes, expressing hope for health, happiness and success for all.
PRAGATI@50 marks a decade of delivery
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Modi chaired the 50th meeting of PRAGATI, the ICT-enabled platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. Officials described the milestone as a decade-long effort to sharpen delivery, strengthen follow-through and ensure projects reach citizens on time.
During the meeting the Prime Minister reviewed five critical infrastructure projects across roads, railways, power, water resources and coal. These initiatives, spread across five states, have a cumulative cost in excess of Rs 40,000 crore. The review reflected the government’s emphasis on real-time monitoring and Centre-State collaboration to speed up implementation.
Government figures presented at the session highlighted PRAGATI’s role in accelerating project implementation. According to the Cabinet Secretariat, the platform has helped move projects worth more than Rs 85 lakh crore forward and supported large-scale delivery of welfare programmes.
Mr Modi noted that since 2014 the administration has worked to institutionalise delivery and accountability, creating systems for consistent follow-up. Projects that were previously stalled or left incomplete, he said, have been revived and completed in the national interest. He described PRAGATI@50 not merely as a milestone but as a commitment to further strengthen the platform to ensure faster execution, better quality and measurable outcomes for citizens.
The Cabinet Secretary made a brief presentation outlining PRAGATI’s achievements and how the platform has reshaped India’s monitoring and coordination ecosystem. Officials said improved inter-ministerial and Centre-State follow-through has resulted in quicker implementation of projects, enhanced last-mile delivery of schemes and more timely resolution of public grievances.
Analysts said the PRAGATI model emphasises the use of technology to track progress, identify bottlenecks and encourage accountability among implementing agencies. The government’s focus on measurable outcomes aims to translate national priorities into tangible benefits for citizens, particularly in infrastructure and essential services.
As the country welcomed 2026, the Prime Minister’s New Year message and the PRAGATI@50 milestone together framed the government’s immediate priorities: maintaining social harmony while pressing ahead with large-scale infrastructure delivery. Officials indicated the platform will be further strengthened in the months ahead to sustain momentum and ensure timely completion of priority projects.
Key Takeaways:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended New Year greetings and called for peace and well-being across India.
- PRAGATI@50 marked a decade of technology-enabled project monitoring, with five major infrastructure projects reviewed today.
- The reviewed projects span roads, railways, power, water and coal with a combined cost above Rs 40,000 crore.
- PRAGATI has helped accelerate projects worth over Rs 85 lakh crore and aims to strengthen delivery and accountability in 2026.
