Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari delivered a speech at a session on PM Gati Shakti during ‘India Calling Conference 2023’ organized by the Indian Merchants Chamber in Mumbai. Shri Gadkari congratulated IMC for organizing ‘India Calling Conference’ every year with an objective to promote ‘Brand-India’. He said, Strong, Stable, Decisive and Transparent Government is the key to achieve dream of our Hon’ble PM of making India a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2025.
Speaking about the PM Gati Shakti Project Minister Gadkari said, “PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) is a very big initiative and it will help us reduce logistics costs. Logistics cost in India is higher at 13% to 14% of GDP compared to 8% to 9% of GDP in other developed economies such as the USA. Higher logistics cost reduces the competitiveness of ‘Made in India’ products in global markets. Reducing logistics costs to 9% of GDP is at the top of Government’s agenda.”
About plans to improve highway network, Minister said that NHAI is developing world class ‘Wayside Amenities (WSA)’ at more than 600 locations along the National Highways. Apart from basic facilities like good toilets, parking and restaurants; these Way Side Amenities will also have Dormitories for Truck Drivers, EV Charging facilities, Convention centers, Trauma centers and Retail shops for promoting handicrafts and locally manufactured products. Some WSAs will also have Helipads and Drone Landing Facilities to deal with medical emergency situations like road accidents and organ transplantation.
Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for Railways & Textiles Darshana Jardosh said that IMC has rich heritage of contributing towards Swadeshi movement during the freedom struggle. She noted that there are a lot of Projects in rail sector where there are investment opportunities. ” Several domestic and foreign investors are looking to invest in rail projects. 100% FDI via automatic route is allowed in rail sector. Government plans to invest 715 billion dollars in Rail infrastructure by 2030. “, informed the Minister.