16 Oct Gati Shakti National Master Plan [ GS II ]
CONTEXT : The Prime Minister of India launched Gati Shakti National Master Plan on October 13, to renew the momentum towards India’s slowing economic growth engine, through major infrastructure upgrades cutting logistics costs for industry and raising the efficiency.
ABOUT : Launch of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (above ₹ 100-lakh-crore) for the multi-model connectivity will help improve global competitiveness, promote manufacturing and modernise infrastructure in the country
According to experts, PM Gati Shakti targets –
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To cut logistic costs
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Increase cargo handling capacity
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Reducing the turnaround time
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity in the country.
The initiative promises to integrate 16 Ministries including railways, roads and ports through information technology, satellite mapping and data tools, as an umbrella integrator of ₹111-lakh crore worth of projects under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) for 2020-25.
According to NITI Aayog, the importance in the plan is given to rail-road multimodal connectivity and the share of freight for the railways has been hiked.
This includes:
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reducing the cost of logistics to GDP from 14% to 8%
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to meet climate change commitments
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the challenge of reducing vehicular emissions from road freight growth
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containing input costs due to extraordinarily high taxes on diesel
A similar fillip to efficiency in port operations can increase cargo handling capacity and cut vessel turnaround time.
Evidently, States have a crucial role in all this, considering that key pieces of the plan such as port linkages and land availability for highways, railways, industrial clusters and corridors depend on political consensus and active partnership.
The Economic Survey for 2020-21 emphasises the need of better Centre-State relationships for such projects. The infrastructural projects demand investments towards NIP sectors like energy, roads, urban infrastructure and railways for FY 2021 and 22.
REASONS FOR PROJECT DELAYS:
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land acquisition problems
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Environmental degradation issues
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policymakers should reclaim lands already subjected to degradation and pollution
Centre is prefering Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing to identify potential industrial areas.
Ways to Convince the citizens about the benefits:-
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Social welfare
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Lower service costs
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Higher efficiencies
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Respecting federal boundaries while dealing with the State
Centre has to convince all States to come on board, to reduce logistics support.
TO CONCLUDE: The scheme of the Government has been appreciated by many. The seamless connectivity between rail, road, ports and civil aviation, along with the integration of states, local bodies, corporates, through a geospatial digital platform, will thrust manufacturing and exports besides job creation.
Plutus IAS daily current affairs 16 Oct 2021
Plutus IAS Current Affairs Team Member
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