India’s ambition to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 hinges on revolutionising its logistics infrastructure. Today, close to 60% of freight in India still moves by road—a mode ideal for last-mile connectivity but inefficient for long-haul transport. In contrast, Indian Railways carries only a quarter of freight, despite being safer, greener, and more cost-effective.
However, the narrative is changing. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is reshaping infrastructure thinking in India by bringing roads, railways, ports, and air transport under a unified planning framework. This shift avoids duplication and ensures tighter integration between modes. Since 2014, Indian Railways has fast-tracked key infrastructure projects by boosting capital expenditure, particularly on high-density corridors linking ports, industrial hubs, and mining zones.
To complement rail improvements, the development of multimodal logistics parks—strategic hubs connecting rail, road, and port networks—is underway. These hubs aim to reduce cargo handling times, improve storage efficiency, and lower warehousing costs. They represent India’s shift toward tech-enabled, future-ready freight infrastructure. Tools like GPS-based cargo tracking, AI-driven freight demand forecasts, and blockchain-backed documentation systems are transforming the logistics chain.
Ports, once chokepoints, are undergoing digital upgrades with automation, real-time tracking, and paperless clearances. This enhances India’s competitiveness in global supply chains by ensuring smoother cross-border trade and faster cargo flows. But while infrastructure and technology are crucial, policy and workforce readiness are equally important. Streamlining regulations across states, training logistics professionals, and strengthening digital processes like the GST-enabled E-way bill system are essential steps already in motion.
Industry experts agree that cutting logistics costs to 12% of GDP by 2030—and ideally to 8% by 2040—is achievable if India continues investing in smart infrastructure and coordinated planning. Global benchmarks show that nations with integrated, digitally enabled freight systems see faster growth, lower costs, and stronger export performance.
India’s logistics sector is no longer just about moving goods—it’s about unlocking opportunity, ensuring climate resilience, and enabling ease of doing business. The future lies in how well the country can connect its transport modes, reduce systemic inefficiencies, and build an infrastructure spine that supports sustainable economic growth. The tracks for tomorrow are being laid today—and they’re headed in the right direction.
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