Apex body to oversee all modes of transport likely

NEW DELHI: The country is set to get an apex empowered agency for preparation of comprehensive transport strategies for all modes of transportation and end-to-end mobility. The proposed Integrated Transport Authority comprising planning heads of all related ministries will also carry out monitoring to ensure timely project completion.

The proposal is likely to be placed before the Cabinet for approval soon, as the govt focuses on accelerating transport infrastructure development to enable faster movement of people and goods, and reduce logistics costs. The proposal is significant given the need to address multi-sectoral bottlenecks and eliminate overlaps across infrastructure sectors.

At present, there is a National Project Group (NPG) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) that evaluates large-scale projects, but it only has an advisory role. Similarly, a Project Monitoring Group (PMG), headed by a cabinet minister, is tasked with reviewing project progress.

Officials said a group of secretaries has recommended the need for an authority that is similar to those in the US, the UK, Germany, Australia and Japan to handle all transportation-related issues. However, they also cautioned that the new agency must not become just another bureaucratic layer for going through presentations.

Sources indicated that the empowered agency will include planning heads from the ministries of road transport, railways, shipping, civil aviation and urban affairs to jointly prepare an integrated transport and logistics strategy. The authority will also draft a five-year rolling action plan based on detailed assessments of modal needs, historical trends, and future requirements, particularly to facilitate seamless and faster transportation of goods.

Officials added that the agency will also include experts and technical support units. It will focus on policy making for common mobility, optimal modal mix and data exchange. Another major focus will be strengthening the public-private partnership (PPP) framework and ensuring coordination at every level for integrated planning.

India's infrastructure sector has witnessed rapid growth over the past decade, with capital expenditure rising six-fold, from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 11.2 lakh crore in 2025-26.

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