AI Generated Summary
- In a significant push to modernise India’s logistics landscape, the Centre has chosen Ludhiana, Shimla, and six other cities to craft integrated state and city logistics plans.
- The programme, anchored by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will also cover Jaipur, Indore, Patna, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.
- The move is part of a larger initiative to build a future-ready, globally competitive logistics ecosystem that reduces costs and boosts efficiency.
In a significant push to modernise India’s logistics landscape, the Centre has chosen Ludhiana, Shimla, and six other cities to craft integrated state and city logistics plans. The move is part of a larger initiative to build a future-ready, globally competitive logistics ecosystem that reduces costs and boosts efficiency.
The programme, anchored by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will also cover Jaipur, Indore, Patna, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. According to officials, these plans will later be replicated across the country to ensure seamless goods movement and stronger supply chain resilience.
The planning exercise will focus on evaluating existing logistics infrastructure, identifying bottlenecks, and preparing a roadmap for improvement. Special emphasis will be placed on optimising freight routes, easing congestion, and improving last-mile connectivity in urban and peri-urban areas.
At the city level, the focus extends to freight demands driven by local retailers and e-commerce players. Infrastructure such as truck terminals, urban roads, and efficient last-mile delivery systems will be given priority.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing technical support under its programme to strengthen India’s multimodal logistics network. This involves harmonising state-level logistics strategies while ensuring cities align their freight systems with broader mobility goals.
Officials said the dual focus—statewide logistics for connecting growth hubs with trunk routes, and city-level improvements for urban freight—will streamline supply chains from end to end.
Sustainability is central to the initiative. The plans encourage adoption of low- and zero-emission vehicles for last-mile delivery, establishment of low-emission freight zones, and implementation of noise-reduction measures.
In addition, digital transformation will play a key role. The DPIIT highlighted the importance of automation and data-driven decision-making in improving operational efficiency, cutting costs, and ensuring transparency in freight movement.
The Centre underlined that inefficiencies in one part of the logistics chain can ripple across the entire system, making integrated planning essential. The project seeks active collaboration between the Centre, state governments, and private players to ensure local priorities complement national strategies.
By aligning sustainability, technology, and infrastructure upgrades, officials say the initiative will not only strengthen India’s supply chains but also enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
