India Climbs Logistics Performance Index, Aims for Efficient Multimodal Connectivity

New Delhi:  In a promising development, India has ascended to the 38th position out of 139 countries in the World Bank’s ‘Logistics Performance Index Report (2023): Connecting to Compete 2023.’ This marks a commendable improvement, with India’s rank advancing by six places from 44 in 2018 and an impressive sixteen places from 54 in 2014.

To spearhead this progress, an Inter-Ministerial dedicated team has been established, comprising Stakeholder Ministries/Departments. This collaborative effort aims at targeted action plans to enhance logistics performance across six crucial parameters outlined in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI): Customs, Infrastructure, Ease of arranging shipments, Quality of logistics services, Tracking and Tracing, and Timeliness.

The National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NCTF) plays a pivotal role in this initiative, boasting a three-tiered structure comprising a National Committee on Trade Facilitation, a Steering Committee, and Focused Working Groups. The working groups focus on Outreach, Legislative Issues, Time Release Study, Infrastructure Upgradation, PGA regulation, and procedure. As part of the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 2020-23, 27 action points have been identified under the Infrastructure Upgradation working group.

The commitment to boosting logistics efficiency is evident in the launch of key initiatives by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity, launched on October 13, 2021, and the National Logistics Policy introduced on September 17, 2022, stand out as significant milestones. Digital reforms, such as the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) for ease of doing business and the Logistics Data Bank facilitating the digitized track and trace of 100% containerized EXIM cargo, are already operational.

Moreover, line Ministries are actively taking measures to further improve logistics. The Ministry of Railways is expanding the electrification of railway tracks, while the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) has successfully reduced average export and import release times through strategic interventions. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has launched NLP Marine, a single-window interface platform for port-related logistics operations, and is automating weighbridges to streamline operations.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, provided this insightful information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering efficient logistics, reducing costs, and bolstering India’s connectivity on the global stage.