Centre debates merging ministries to form an Infrastructure Ministry, no firm proposal yet : CNBC-TV18

NEW DELHI : The government has discussed a possible consolidation of key ministries at a Viksit Bharat meeting, CNBC-TV18 reported citing sources.

One idea that has been discussed involves creating a dedicated infrastructure ministry by merging Railways, Roads & Highways and Shipping & Ports into one entity, CNBC-TV18 learns. These are the ministries through which the government executes a sizeable amount of infrastructure spending.

More ministries and departments could be on the radar to explore possibilities of synergy, sources told CNBC-TV18. As of today, the central government comprises of 53 ministries with 70 departments among them.

The deliberations about the possibility of a merger of ministries and departments aims to achieve better coordination and faster approvals, though no firm proposal in this regard has been tabled as yet.

Sources suggest the Railway Board would continue to function in the present form. Sources suggest the Railway Board would continue to function in the present form.