The east zonal conference on PMGatiShakti (National Master Plan for Multimodal connectivity) and National Logistic Strategy was convened today in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, under the auspices of the Ministry of Coal. The programme backed by the governments of Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar focuses on integrated infrastructure development in these states. Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. is a government of India venture. As the chief guest, Shri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Chief Secretary of the Government of Odisha, attended.
The Chief Secretary stressed that logistics are the nation’s biggest concern when speaking to the group. Admiring the PM GatiShakti program’s goal, Shri Mohapatra said it will go a long way towards removing the silos-style of operating that previously existed among several divisions in the transportation industry. The massive amount of transportation of minerals and commodities across the nation will be considerably reduced by unifying numerous departments and ministries on a single platform.
Shri Mohapatra stated that as many as 14 to 15 states in the nation receive thermal coal from Odisha alone. Shri Mohapatra emphasised the necessity for logistical development in the east, calling it the nation’s growth engine. In his perspective, he stated that a strong, forward-looking plan needs to be created and carried out in the logistics industry.
As the special guest, Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India, stated that logistics are like a matter of life or death for the steel industry. He explained the significance of logistics by saying that 4 tonnes of material must be moved for every tonne of steel produced. Hence, it takes around 600 million tonnes of material to transport 120 million tonnes of steel across the nation. In the steel industry, the total cost of logistics is roughly equal to 28% of the entire cost of manufacturing. The PM Gatishakti scheme does a good job of describing how to do this if we need to lower the cost of logistics in order to lower the cost of production.
In addition to the current routes of transportation, such as rail, road, and water connectivity, Shri Sinha stated that new modes and methods of logistical assistance need to be considered in order to considerably reduce costs. In order to cut costs and increase efficiency, he also emphasised using the right method of material transportation. The Union Steel Secretary noted that India now consumes 80 Kilograms of steel per person, compared to around 700 KG in industrialised nations, and added that even when we enter the middle-ranking countries, the demand for logistics will increase, necessitating a major reduction in logistic costs.
Speaking at the event, Shri M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India, said the PM Gatishakti Program’s convergence approach will increase production capacity and employment opportunities while lowering logistical costs and preventing waste in infrastructure construction. All four of the participating states at today’s colloquium, according to Shri Nagaraju, are rich in mineral resources and are crucial to the nation’s industrial growth. According to him, these states will benefit enormously from efficient and affordable delivery of goods and commodities provided logistic policies are standardised.
Further speaking at the event were Shri Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman NLCIL, and Shri Aboobacker Siddique P, Secretary Mines, Government of Jharkhand. There was also an interactive discussion with ten CEOs on “Infrastructure Development of East Zone.”
The PM Gatishakti National Master Plan (NMP), a revolutionary strategy for increasing logistical effectiveness and lowering logistical expenses, was introduced for the nation’s integrated infrastructure development. The goal is to bring together various Ministries, States, Departments, and Industry for coordinated infrastructure connection project development and implementation.
The East Zonal Conference will give various stakeholders the chance to thoroughly comprehend the National Logistic Policy component.
East Zonal Conference on “PM Gatishakti: National Logistic Policy” is being organised by the Ministry of Coal in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with the purpose of coordinating integrated infrastructure development plans in East Zonal States, which include Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar.
Senior representatives from the East Zone’s industrial sectors as well as the Ministries of Coal, DPIIT, Railways, Power, Steel, Fertilizers & Chemicals, MoRTH, and Shipping Ports & Waterways attend the conference.
The conference intends to engage in-depth talks and offer recommendations for the region’s inclusive development.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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