India to launch GTLPRA, a unified body to integrate transport planning and slash logistics costs to 8% of GDP.
The Union Government is in the final stages of establishing a centralised regulatory body, the Gati-Shakti Transport and Logistics Planning and Research Authority, to overhaul the national infrastructure landscape.
This new entity will function as a non-profit special-purpose vehicle under the direct administrative oversight of the Cabinet Secretariat. Designed to act as a comprehensive “Transport Big Data Division” the authority will consolidate various existing platforms, including the Unified Logistics Interface Platform and the Logistics Data Bank, into a singular operational framework.
The primary objective of this transition is to eliminate the fragmented nature of national infrastructure planning. By facilitating seamless coordination between five critical departments like Railways, Road Transport and Highways, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Civil Aviation, and Housing and Urban Affairs, the body aims to improve inter-ministerial efficiency significantly.
A core economic target for the new authority is the reduction of national logistics expenses. Currently estimated at approximately 14 percent of gross domestic product, the government intends for this figure to drop to 8 percent by 2030 through enhanced digital integration and streamlined cargo movement.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has granted formal assent for the establishment of the body. As of 10 January 2026, several state administrations are in the process of reviewing the proposal to provide final recommendations. This collaborative approach ensures that regional logistics requirements are integrated into the national master plan before the final executive approval is granted.
For stakeholders in the export and import sectors, this development promises a more transparent and efficient digital interface for monitoring freight movement across diverse modes of transport nationwide.
SOURCE – THE HINDU
