According to the World Bank’s ‘Logistics Performance Index Report (2023): Connecting to Compete 2023’, India ranks 38 out of 139 countries. India’s rank has improved by:
- Six places from 44 in 2018
- Sixteen places from 54 in 2014.
Formation of Inter-Ministerial Team
- An Inter-Ministerial dedicated team comprising of Stakeholder Ministries/Departments has been formed.
- Focuses on targeted action plans with interventions needed to improve logistics performance across all six LPI parameters:
- Customs
- Infrastructure
- Ease of arranging shipments
- Quality of logistics services
- Tracking and Tracing
- Timeliness.
National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NCTF)
- NCTF has a three-tiered structure:
- National Committee on Trade Facilitation
- Steering Committee
- Focused Working Groups (Outreach, Legislative Issues, Time Release Study, Infrastructure Up-gradation, PGA regulation and procedure).
- 27 action points identified under the working group on infrastructure upgradation in NTFAP 2020-23.
Key Government Initiatives
- PM GatiShakti National Master Plan: Launched on 13 October 2021 for multimodal connectivity.
- National Logistics Policy: Launched on 17th Sept. 2022 for improving logistics efficiency and reducing logistics costs.
- Digital Reforms:
- Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) for ease of doing business.
- Logistics Data Bank for digitized track and trace of 100% containerized EXIM cargo.
Ministry Initiatives
- Ministry of Railways (MoR):
- Expansion of electrification of railway tracks.
- Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI):
- Reduced average export and import release time.
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW):
- Launched NLP Marine, a single window interface platform for port-related logistics operations.
- Automation of weighbridges underway.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is India’s rank in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index Report (2023)?
- A) 44
- B) 38
- C) 54
- D) 48
- Answer: B) 38
- How many action points have been identified under the working group on infrastructure upgradation in NTFAP 2020-23?
- A) 20
- B) 27
- C) 35
- D) 30
- Answer: B) 27
- When was the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan launched?
- A) 17th Sept. 2022
- B) 13 October 2021
- C) 17th Sept. 2023
- D) 13th Sept. 2021
- Answer: B) 13 October 2021