Alignment of Logistics Policies in the North-Eastern region

Alignment of Logistics Policies in the North-Eastern region

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry is mandated for the Integrated Development of the Logistics Sector in the country. As per DPIIT,an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism to align logistics initiatives in the North-Eastern Region with connectivity, trade and industrial policies is anchored in the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021.

In addition, an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was constituted by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in July 2024, pursuant to the decisions in 71st Plenary of the North Eastern Council, to assess the logistics ecosystem in the NER and recommend measures to strengthen logistics planning. The implementation of the resulting roadmap is also monitored by a Steering Group constituted under MDoNER, comprising representatives of DPIIT (Logistics Division) and other concerned line Ministries and the eight North-Eastern States.

 As per Ministry of External Affairs, under India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, the Government is implementing two connectivity projects through Myanmar to provide better access to ASEAN markets. These are Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.

Improved rail, road, and inland waterway links between India and Bangladesh provide better connectivity for India’s North East and support wider sub-regional integration. Institutional mechanisms such as Joint Working Groups on Trade, Sub-Groups on Land Customs Stations/Integrated Check Post infrastructure, and Joint committees on Border Haats have been established to enable coordination among concerned authorities in India and Bangladesh, including those in India’s North Eastern Region, in relation to logistics, connectivity, trade infrastructure, and other developments impacting the region.

The roadmap for positioning the North-Eastern Region as a logistics and trade gateway is pursued through a multi-pronged strategy. This includes coordinated policy planning and institutional mechanisms supported by PM GatiShakti–based planning, which enables integrated geospatial mapping of multimodal connectivity, industrial clusters, logistics parks, border infrastructure and economic assets and strengthening physical connectivity through projects implemented by concerned line Ministries.

This information was given by the Minister of State of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.