Govt Approves Integrated Transport Logistics Authority
New body to drive multimodal planning, project monitoring and data-led transport development
- Cabinet approves Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority.
- ITLA to prepare a 10-year-plus National Transport Master Plan.
- Projects worth ₹500 crore or more to undergo technical appraisal.
- Unified transport data repository to support planning and monitoring.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Oct: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the establishment of the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to strengthen research, planning, project appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment across the transportation and logistics sectors.
The move seeks to address long-standing challenges arising from fragmented planning and implementation among multiple transport-related Ministries and agencies. Through greater coordination and multimodal integration, ITLA is expected to improve the efficiency, sustainability and effectiveness of transport infrastructure development in the country.
ITLA as national apex institution
ITLA will function as the national apex institution for integrated transport and logistics planning, research, project appraisal and monitoring. It will also provide policy support and undertake data analytics.
One of its key responsibilities will be preparing a National Transport Master Plan with a planning horizon of 10 years or more. The plan will cover roads, railways, ports and shipping, civil aviation, inland waterways, coastal shipping, urban mobility and logistics.
The authority will also evaluate short-term sectoral plans of around five years and annual plans of transport Ministries to ensure their alignment with the National Transport Master Plan and promote multimodal infrastructure development.
Appraisal and monitoring of major projects
ITLA will undertake technical appraisal of Government of India infrastructure projects costing ₹500 crore or more. Financial appraisal will continue through existing financial appraisal mechanisms.
It will also monitor the implementation of transport and infrastructure projects above ₹500 crore and provide a coordinated mechanism for resolving issues. Post-implementation impact assessments of these projects will also be undertaken.
Unified transport data repository
Another major responsibility will be establishing a National Transport Data Repository (NTDR) by bringing together transport and logistics datasets from multiple sources.
These will include GSTN e-way bills, FASTag, Vahan, GPS-based systems and urban traffic management systems, among other relevant databases.
ITLA will use data analytics, including freight-flow and origin-destination analytics, to support planning, monitoring and impact assessment.
The authority will also advise and assist in reviewing and updating the National Logistics Policy, 2022, besides supporting capacity building, training and skilling in the logistics sector.
It will further promote research and innovation in transportation and logistics.
The government said the establishment of ITLA will support India’s Vision 2047 by strengthening multimodal connectivity, improving infrastructure efficiency, reducing logistics costs and enhancing India’s global logistics competitiveness.
