As India marks the third anniversary of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP), launched on October 13, 2021, it becomes increasingly clear that the initiative has made notable strides in transforming the country’s infrastructure landscape.
Spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the plan was designed to streamline infrastructure projects by enhancing multi-modal connectivity and improving logistics, promising faster development across key sectors. But how has this ambitious initiative fared in its first three years, and what lies ahead?
According to the government, the results are impressive. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has praised the initiative, calling it a “paradigm shift” in India’s infrastructure planning. “The impact is visible in faster project execution, lower logistics costs, and better services reaching every corner of the country,” Goyal said recently.
The GatiShakti platform integrates data from over 44 central ministries and 36 states and Union Territories (UTs), making project execution more efficient through geospatial technology.
In terms of achievements, the platform has facilitated the planning and evaluation of over 200 major infrastructure projects, with a total value exceeding Rs 15.39 lakh crore. The government highlights key accomplishments such as the reduction in logistics costs, which remains one of India’s long-standing challenges, accounting for 13-14% of the GDP—significantly higher than the global average of 8-9%. The government also points to improved coordination between ministries and states, enabled by a unified platform featuring over 1,600 data layers.
These numbers reflect the platform’s growing influence in shaping how India builds and maintains its infrastructure. The project has especially gained traction in sectors such as roadways, railways, and urban development, where better coordination between various agencies has helped cut delays and prevent cost overruns.
However, while GatiShakti has facilitated more efficient coordination and execution, experts argue that the long-term impact of this initiative remains to be seen. A logistics cost reduction, for instance, is essential for enhancing India’s competitiveness on the global stage, but achieving substantial, sustainable reductions in this area will require continuous efforts and broader structural reforms.
Another noteworthy aspect of the initiative is its focus on social infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions. The government asserts that the GatiShakti platform has helped identify gaps in essential services, such as schools and healthcare facilities, in remote and tribal areas. The integration of social sector ministries into the platform aims to bridge these gaps through better planning.
Environmental sustainability is also on the agenda. The GatiShakti initiative is aligned with India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. According to official sources, the platform promotes the development of green infrastructure and sustainable logistics solutions, leveraging real-time data and GIS-based tools for more efficient and eco-friendly project management.
Interestingly, the GatiShakti platform is also attracting international attention. Countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have expressed interest in adopting India’s geospatial technology for integrated infrastructure planning.
This could pave the way for future regional collaborations, positioning India as a leader in infrastructure planning within South Asia. This is something similar to what government has been trying to achieve with Digital Public Infrastructure push across the region.
Domestically, the government is working to extend the reach of GatiShakti to local administrations through the District Master Plan (DMP). This initiative, set to be rolled out soon, will empower district authorities to leverage the same geospatial tools currently available to central ministries. The goal is to ensure that planning and execution of infrastructure projects are effective even at the grassroots level.
Despite the government’s optimism, there are some concerns regarding the actual on-ground implementation of the GatiShakti plan. Coordination between states and central ministries, while improved, still faces hurdles, particularly when it comes to the alignment of priorities and resources. Furthermore, while the government highlights significant cost savings and efficiency gains, independent assessments suggest that some of these improvements may not be fully realised until several more years into the project.
Moreover, the logistics sector, despite benefitting from this streamlined approach, continues to grapple with long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks such as outdated ports, insufficient warehousing, and last-mile connectivity issues in rural areas. These challenges will require concerted efforts beyond the scope of GatiShakti alone.
As GatiShakti enters its fourth year, its success will largely depend on maintaining momentum and scaling its scope. With plans to incorporate district-level infrastructure projects and further develop industrial corridors and smart cities, the platform has the potential to catalyse India’s long-term economic growth. However, the real test will be whether it can deliver on its promise of reducing costs and ensuring timely completion of projects.
