PM Gati Shakti: India's Logistics Turbo Boost Overview The Indian Government launched the PM Gati Shakti Scheme,and the main aim of this scheme is to strengthen India's logistics and infrastructure. Through this scheme India's economy grows faster and better, infrastructure is the backbone of any economy. If highways,ports, airports and railways connected each other, then GDP (Gross Domestic Product) would also grow faster, saving cost and time for business. But there are problems in India: High logistics cost and poor coordination between different departments. Till now, 13-14% of India's logistics cost GDP , but different countries like Germany and Japan have only 8-9%. What is the PM Gati Shakti Scheme? PM Gati Shakti is a digital platform, and the government launched a national main plan for multimodal connectivity. Who uses GIS ( Geospatial Information Systems ) and advanced data analytics. The main aims are: ✓ Improves multimodal connectivity like road, rail, air, ports, waterways, etc.
✓ Tracking infrastructure projects fast.
✓ Create better coordination between ministries.
✓ Increases logistics efficiency.
This scheme mainly integrates projects such as Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Inland Waterways, UDAN and dry ports. Till now, there are 44 central ministries and 36 state UTs onboard on this platform.
PM Gati Shakti Launch Date Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced the PM Gati Shakti Scheme on 15 August 2021,on the 75th Independence day. The National Main Plan for Multi Modal connectivity launched officially on 13 October 2021. This was a main plan which was a shift from a fragmented approach to centralized and tech driven planning.
Key Benefits of PM Gati Shakti The impact of PM Gati Shakti is not only limited to the planning. It's already started a practical revolution in India's connectivity and infrastructure development.
Improved Infrastructure Planning Before the PM Gati Shakti Scheme, all ministries worked separately,but after launching this scheme 16 ministries coordinated projects with each other. There are 208+ mega projects assessed (worth $180 billion). Fixed and identified 156 critical infrastructure gaps, like coal, steel, fertilizer and last-mile connectivity in the food sector. Example: Fuel shortages were resolved by integrating coal supply to power plants through rail and road .Boost to Manufacturing and Exports After reduced logistics costs. Indian products are becoming more competitive in the global market. From directly connecting export hubs to ports and highways. Example: Linking Surat and Tiruppur textile hubs to ports reduced both export time and cost.Faster Projects Implementation The use of GIS and satellite image approvals was fast. Example: Gujarat's 300 km coastal corridor in which NoC approvals were reduced from 28 to 13.Enhanced Multi- Modal Connectivity Road Transport Ministry - 8,800 km near roads Planned new highways and expressways by which travel times are reduced. Example: From Delhi to Mumbai expressway travel time is only 24h to 12h .Railway - New Railways Line 27,000+ km Directly giving rail connectivity to industrial hubs and ports. Example: Goods transport through Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) has become 30% faster than passenger trains without any delay. Aviation - UDAN Scheme Connecting the tier-2, and tier-3 cities from big metro cities. Example: Darbhanga Airport Bihar- Now direct flights are operating from Delhi,Mumbai, and Bangalore,which has given a boost to local industries and tourism.Ports and Waterways - Sagarmala Project Expanded Coastal shipping and Inland Waterways. Example 1 : Varanasi Multimodal Terminal on Ganga , now directly connected to Kolkata port, and reduced transport costs.Example 2 : By integrating Kandla Port Gujarat with road and rail, exports of fertilizer and the food sector become smooth.Table: Comparison Of India VS Developed Nations Logistics Cost Country Logistics Cost % of GDP Competitive Advantage India 13-14% High cost burden on trade Germany 8-9% Efficient global trade Japan 8-9% Advanced Logistics infra USA 9.00% Strong intermodal network
Challenges in PM Gati Shakti Scheme Faced Whether the scheme is big or not , these small challenges are very normal. Many challenges come with this scheme also.
Land Acquisition Disputes The biggest hurdles to infrastructure projects are land ownership and disputes.
Lack of Digitization Digitization of land records and revenue maps is incomplete, which is the reason for project delay.
Data Security Concern Sharing sensitive infrastructure related data carries the risk of cybersecurity and misuse.
Skilled Workforce Requirement want Advanced GIS and satellite based monitoring for trained workforce and continuous investment.
Key Facts About PM Gati Shakti Private Sector Involvement Select data and maps will be available for private companies, so that they take a decision about our investment and infrastructure planning.
District Main Plan (DMP) DMP portal created for District level implementation . Running beta version in 28 aspirational districts.
Total Identified Projects 434 projects (192 energy/ mineral/ cement corridors,200 high traffic corridors, 42 port connectivity corridors).
Investment There are more than Rs 11,17 trillion projects under the pipeline.
Cargo Terminals 91 operational Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) , 234 approvals in principal , and 339 applications under the process.
Sanctioned Projects There are more than 68 projects (6,290km) with investment of Rs 1,11 trillion.
Projects under Appraisal More than 88 projects (10,603km) with a proposed cost of Rs 2,25 trillion.
Why was PM Gati Shakti Scheme Needed? Before this scheme, different ministries separately plan their projects. Result: Delays, cost overruns,poor coordination. Example: One port was developed ,but for connecting this, rail and road were not ready. PM Gati Shakti brought a whole government approach and under this all departments worked together. This improves the ease of doing business, attracts FDI, and increases India's global competitiveness . You can also read about - 10 benefits of start-up Indian Scheme
Six Pillars of PM Gati Shakti Pillars Description Comprehensiveness This pillar means that all existing and upcoming projects like railways, highways, and telecom will be included in one place. Bring it to a single digital portal . Simply put, data from every ministry will be available in a centralized place. Prioritization Prioritization means that through this different departments will be able to set their projects according to their priority. For Example- There will be cross sectoral interaction on the digital platform,which will make it clear which projects need to be completed first. Optimization The main focus of optimization is that the selection and execution of projects should be done in the most efficient manner. Using the available data, solutions will be found that will save both time and cost. Synchronization Synchronization means that, as it has been seen many times, that after constructing a road it has to be dug again for a new cable or a pipeline. This pillar ensures that projects are simultaneously planned and executed so that there is no duplication and wastage. Analytical The main role of the analytical pillar is the use of data and analytics. Proper analysis is done to understand the impact of projects so that better and informed decisions can be taken. Dyanmics The Gati Shakti platform is dynamic and adaptable. This means that tracking is possible in real time if any obstacle arises,a quick solution can be found.
Future Outlook of PM Gati Shakti 2025 onwards, the district main plan portal will be rolled out nationwide. Talking about the private sector, open data access will make infrastructure investment more efficient for them. By connecting rural and semi urban areas with highways , cold chains and digital Infrastructure,the vision of a developed India by 2047 will be strengthened. Conclusion The PM Gati Shakti Scheme is a landmark reform that is taking India's infrastructure and logistics to the next level. Through this, the government has created a transparent and technology driven system for planning, execution and monitoring.
FAQs 1. What is the main aim of launching the PM Gati Shakti Scheme in India? The main aim of launching PM Gati Shakti Scheme is to strengthen India's logistics and infrastructure by bringing all projects like railways, highways, ports, airport, telecom,etc. On a single digital platform.
2. On which date was the PM Gati Shakti Scheme launched in India? The PM Gati Shakti Scheme was launched on 13th October 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi.
3. What challenges are faced by the PM Gati Shakti Scheme? The Scheme faces challenges like land acquisition, disputes, lack of digitization ,data security concern, and skilled workforce requirement.
4. Why Was the PM Gati Shakti Scheme Needed in India? The PM Gati Shakti Scheme was needed in India, because India's logistics cost was very high 13-14% of GDP as compared to other developed nations 8-9% . Poor coordination between the ministries, project delays ,and lack of multimodal connectivity . For solving this problem PM Gati Shakti Scheme was needed in India.