Assam to promote clean fuel in logistic activities.

The 2022 Assam Logistics and Warehousing policy aims atstrengthening the corridor approach which will lead to the focused development ofinfrastructure and industries.

" Assam's geographical location places the state at thecore of the northeastern region's economic corridor. The state's linear layoutand adjoining borders with multiple states as well as neighbouring countries  logically lead to key alignments which are critical for economic activities not just within Assam but in the entire region" the policy says.
 
Special emphasis shall be provided to regional connectivity with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and other South East Asian countries and connectivity with neighbouring states. The policy shall remain in force for 5 years. The policy is aimed to make the state a regional logistics hub which shall be backed by a state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure, a regulatory environment which help ease of doing business and promotes innovative technology. 

The primary focus of Assam Logistics Policy 2022 will be on improving logistics efficiency and infrastructure in key sectors like food processing, bamboo, sugar, jute, plastics and other sectors identified in the2019 Industrial Policy of Assam. 

Transport and logistics are vital factors in economicdevelopment and an efficient logistics system is a pre-requisite for economic and social transformation. Given the crucial role of logistics in facilitating mobility of goods and people for production, marketing, trade and commerce, public services delivery, it becomes essential to strategize interventions in the field" the policy says.

 An essential activity in the logistics function is to support economic utilities of space and time. "Doing this in a "green" environment friendly, sustainable and inclusive manner is a necessity. There is a need for a vision that serves the ambitions of Assam while addressing future constraints( resource depletion, environment pollution and congestion" the policy says.  

Use of clean fuel in logistics sector 

The government shall adopt several interventions to promote the use of clean fuel in logistics activities. It will promote the use of electric vehicles for internal/ short movement at logistics facilities and intra-city levels to reduce carbon footprint. It will explore the feasibility and promote the useof alternate greener modes of transport for suitable commodities to reducevehicular emissions.

The state shall prepare an urban mobility plan including urban freight movement for all major cities in the state.

The  state single window agency shall develop a separate portal for facilitating disbursement of incentives under the policy. Any industrial park developed by Assam Industrial Development Corporation shall earmark 15 percent of its land for development of logistics infrastructure including logistics park, truck terminal, cold storage, warehouses. 

The government through this policy has accorded logistics as priority sector. 

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