Why in News?

  • The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) completed five years on 13 October 2026, marking its evolution from an infrastructure mapping platform into an integrated, GIS-based planning framework for coordinated infrastructure development, multimodal connectivity and efficient resource utilisation.
  • Source: PIB

About PM GatiShakti

  • Launch: 13 October 2021.
  • Nature: A GIS-based integrated infrastructure planning framework promoting integrated and coordinated planning across sectors and modes of transport.
  • Objective: Strengthen multimodal connectivity, last-mile connectivity and infrastructure efficiency by reducing project delays, optimising resource use and improving coordination among Ministries and States.
  • Whole-of-Government Approach: Covers 58 Central Ministries and Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories.
  • Six Guiding Principles: Integrated development, multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity, expedited land acquisition, minimised clearances and reduced ecological impact.

Key Features

  • Seven Infrastructure Engines: Roads, Railways, Ports, Waterways, Airports, Mass Transport and Logistics Infrastructure.
  • Scheme Convergence: Incorporates initiatives such as Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports and UDAN.
  • Public Data Access: The PM GatiShakti Public platform provides access to 230 approved datasets for site suitability analysis, connectivity mapping, alignment planning and compliance checks.
  • Extensive Data Layers: More than 23,493 data layers integrated into the common GIS platform (as of 12 October 2026).

ITLA and Integrated Transport Planning

  • The Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) complements PM GatiShakti by providing a dedicated institutional mechanism for long-term transport planning and coordination.
  • National Transport Master Plan: Planning horizon of 10 years or more, covering major transport and logistics sectors.
  • Project Appraisal: ITLA undertakes technical appraisal of infrastructure projects costing ₹500 crore or more, besides monitoring implementation.
  • National Transport Data Repository (NTDR): To be built by integrating datasets from FASTag, Vahan and GSTN e-way bills.

Three-Tier Institutional Framework

  • Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS): Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary; oversees implementation and approves changes to the National Master Plan.
  • Network Planning Group (NPG): Comprises Heads of Network Planning Divisions of infrastructure Ministries/Departments; ensures unified planning, integration and optimisation.
  • Technical Support Unit (TSU): Domain experts supporting evaluation; assists the Logistics Division functioning as the PM GatiShakti Secretariat.

Progress

  • As of 11 August 2026, the NPG had evaluated 396 infrastructure projects worth about ₹18.66 lakh crore, of which 256 were sanctioned and 198 under implementation.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)

  • Established in 2022; India's first-of-its-kind university focused exclusively on transport and logistics.
  • Integrates education, executive training and research across transport disciplines; supports PM GatiShakti NMP and the National Logistics Policy, 2022.
  • Serves as nodal agency for courses on PM GatiShakti and NLP; supports knowledge centres for best practices and innovation.
  • As of July 2026, trained more than 2.4 lakh officers; expanding applied research in integrated transport planning, maritime transport, bridge and tunnel engineering and defence logistics.

Digital Technologies Transforming Planning

  • Integrated GIS-Based Planning: Combines infrastructure networks, geographical features, demographic data and economic zones on a common platform.
  • Analytical Tools: Project mapping, proximity analysis, identification of Go/No-Go areas and clearance-related assessments.
  • Mapping Economic and Logistics Nodes: Textile and pharmaceutical clusters, defence corridors, electronic parks, industrial corridors, fishing clusters and agricultural zones are mapped to identify connectivity gaps.
  • Example: The Khagaria–Purnea corridor in Bihar is planned to connect five PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes and 11 logistics nodes.
  • Digital Logistics Integration: ULIP enables API-based integration of government logistics systems; the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) provides real-time tracking of EXIM containers. As of July 2026, ULIP connected 46 government systems across 12 Central Ministries through 142 APIs.
  • Private Sector Access: In October 2025, the NMP platform was opened to private users through a Query-Based Analytics Mechanism developed by BISAG-N.
  • Monitoring: The PM GatiShakti NMP Dashboard facilitates multi-sector project monitoring; DUMS (Data Uploading and Management System) enables decentralised, real-time data updating.

Significance for India

  • Reduces infrastructure gaps and duplication, optimising scarce public resources.
  • Improves logistics competitiveness by lowering logistics costs (a key constraint on manufacturing competitiveness).
  • Strengthens inter-ministerial and Centre-State coordination, embodying cooperative federalism in planning.
  • Supports sustainable development by minimising ecological impact and land acquisition delays.
  • Contributes to the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision and complements the National Logistics Policy, 2022 and PM GatiShakti-related digital public infrastructure.

Drishti Mains Question

Evaluate the significance of the PM GatiShakti GIS-based integrated infrastructure planning framework in promoting coordinated and multimodal infrastructure development.

Related PYQs

  • Prelims 2020: 'Public Key Infrastructure' in India is used in the context of — (a) Digital security infrastructure.
  • Prelims 2017: National Investment and Infrastructure Fund — statements based question (Answer: Neither 1 nor 2).
  • Mains 2021: "Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth." Discuss in the light of India's experience.