Guwahati: Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, stated today that the PM Gati Shakti National Masterplan will aid India's goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.

Som Parkash, speaking to industry stakeholders at the INDIA INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN CONFERENCE, organised by PHDCCI, stated that India is one of the most appealing investment destinations in the world and that the government has prepared some important frameworks to help businesses thrive in the country.

One of them is the PM Gati Shakti master plan and its execution, which will assist us in achieving our logistical efficiency goal. An infrastructure master plan will make a difference by breaking down entrenched silos over a six-year period, with a Rs 20,000 crore commitment in this year's Budget. PM Gati Shakti, propelled by seven engines – roads, railroads, airports, ports, mass transportation, waterways, and logistics – is a concept whose time has come, according to the Minister.

The Minister praised PHDCCI for being a leader in establishing a dedicated platform for Gati Shakti, the contribution of which will go a long way toward aligning the aims with the PM's Vision of being a globally leading economy.

To ensure the future of this initiative, the Minister asked all industry players to work together to achieve major outcomes.

According to Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary – Logistics, Department of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, a lot of effort is being made in this regard, primarily on component costs of transportation and gasoline, as well as inventory costs, to improve logistic efficiency. Time and cost overruns are important concerns in the plan's implementation. Steps are being taken to reduce them to zero. In the PM GatiShakti master plan, 600 layers of state government departments are connected on a digital platform for greater coordination and early resolution. Gaps in transportation are recognised and prioritised to reduce unnecessary congestion, according to Amrit Lal Meena.