(GIST OF YOJANA) India on Fast Track

GIST OF YOJANA : India on Fast Track

DECEMBER-2025

India on Fast Track

Introduction:

Well-developed infrastructure is essential for economic growth, enhancing productivity and competitiveness. India has made significant strides in infrastructure development, aiming for Viksit Bharat by 2047, bolstered by government policy initiatives. As reported by the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023, India improved its ranking from 44 in 2018 to 38 in 2023, thanks to substantial increases in infrastructure investment, with a budget allocation of Rs 11.21 lakh crore for 2025-26, up from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014-15.

Key highlights:

India is currently the fourth-largest economy globally and the fastest-growing, projected to achieve a real GDP growth rate of 6.6% in the 2024-25 financial year, as per the International Monetary Fund’s October 2025 report, revised from an earlier estimate of 6.4%.
Recognising that construction of world-class highways, logistics, and multi-modal connectivity expansion is central to the country turning into a global manufacturing and logistics hub, the government embarked on an ambitious programme of integrated infrastructure development spanning highways, roads and ports, logistics, multi-modal connectivity and digitalisation.
It has helped in establishing India as a key logistics hub in Asia. However, it still has a long way to go to become a global hub in logistics and multi-modal connectivity before becoming truly Viksit.
Considering that stronger supply chains to ensure a more resilient India, the government has introduced three key policy initiatives aimed at integrated infrastructure development: Bharatmala Pariyojana, the PM’s GatiShakti National Master Plan, and the National Logistics Policy.

India’s Biggest Highway Push: Bharatmala Pariyojana

India’s Bharatmala Pariyojana, launched in 2017, aims to enhance road connectivity and reduce transport costs, supporting economic growth.
The project targets building 34,800 km of roads in Phase-I; by mid-2025, 26,425 km have been awarded with an investment exceeding Rs 8.50 lakh crore, and 20,770 km are completed.
As of mid-2025, national highways have increased by 60% to 1,46,342 km from 91,287 km in 2014. The construction target for 2025-26 is 13,814 km, with an annual construction pace rising from 12 km/day in 2014-15 to an average of 34 km/day in 2023-24.
Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity across India while ensuring safer transportation networks. The initiative has led to the development of high-speed corridors, significantly cutting travel time between major economic hubs.
It encompasses various types of roads, including economic corridors (8,737 km), expressways (2,422 km), and border/international roads (1,619 km), as well as port and coastal connectivity roads, all designed to facilitate smoother connections and faster travel for trade and transport.

Steps taken to cope up with the challenges:

The Bhoomi Rashi portal has been used to speed up land acquisition.
The Parivesh portal has been improved to fast-track environmental clearances.
Online approvals for road and bridge drawings are now available.
Regular meetings are being held with states and departments to keep work on track.

Major Projects completed under the scheme are:

Atal Tunnel
Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway
Bogibeel Bridge:
Dhola Sadia Bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Setu)
Chenani-Nashri tunnel
Dibang-Lohit River Bridge
Kollam Bypass
Maitri Setu
Sudarshan Setu (Beyt Dwarka):
Sonamarg Tunnel (Z-Morh)

Principles of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP)

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT: Development of adequate connectivity infrastructure for the region;
CONNECTIVITY IMPROVEMENT: Additional connectivity from existing networks assessed at the planning stage for seamless movement of goods, services and people;
REDUCED ECOLOGICAL IMPACT: Ensuring minimum possible interference with forest environment, wildlife, and waterbodies;
EXPEDITED CLEARANCES: Drawing of alignment on the National Master Plan to minimise interaction with existing assets;
ALLIED INFRASTRUCTURE: Laying of utilities along with infrastructure network; and
EXPEDITED LAND ACQUISITION: Land revenue data on the National Master Plan (NMP) facilitating ease of understanding ownership and cost of acquisition.

Conclusion:

India’s logistics sector is poised to become a driver of sustainable growth if reforms are matched with decisive execution. By embracing technology green mobility, and workforce skills, the sector can strengthen competitiveness. A future ready logistics backbone will be central to India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat @2047.