The 60^th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting was held on 16th November 2023, under the chairpersonship of Special Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Smt. Sumita Dawra in New Delhi.

The meeting focused on discussions on Sectoral Plan for Efficient Logistics (SPEL)by individual line Ministries/Departments. This initiative, among the various initiatives proposed under the Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan (CLAP) of National Logistics Policy (NLP), was proposed to ensure that a focused approach is taken in addressing logistics-related requirements at the individual sector level.

Today, the Ministry of Steel and the Ministry of Coal presented their plans to address logistics issues pertaining to infrastructure, processes, digital improvements, policies and regulatory reforms, and capacity building for a better workforce.

Ministry of Steel outlined their SPEL approach, encompassing in-depth Supply & Demand Analysis for Iron Ore and steel, Forecasted Requirements up to 2030-31 and beyond, Strategic Planning for Future Readiness in Logistics, etc. The preliminary SPEL draft is expected to be finalized shortly by the Ministry of Steel.

Ministry of Coal presented its key findings on the Integrated Coal Evacuation Plan prepared under the aegis of Coal Logistics Policy 2023. Infrastructural gaps project requirements were presented that shall improve logistics and cost efficiency, and achieve optimum multimodal mix. Ministry envisages a 14% reduction in Rail logistics cost through railway network optimization for coal logistics. Further, there is potential to lower Co2 emissions by 100,000 Tonnes Co2 per Annum by FY30 due to a reduction in railway leads and the replacement of Road Transportation by Rail.

The chair acknowledged that the Coal Logistics Policy is a significant step toward the development of sector-specific plans to foster the efficient growth of the logistics industry within specified timelines. The Special Secretary emphasized prioritizing cross-sectoral cooperation and focus on the optimization of modal mix for holistic planning.

So far, the following actions have been taken by other Ministries addressing logistics-related requirements:

• Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways was developed and notified.
• Development of Cement Sectoral Plan underway
• Department of Food and Public Distribution undertaking a study to identify optimized routes for movement of foodgrains, with aim to reducing logistic cost & transit time.
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has developed an Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to developing logistics-related infrastructure as a part of post-harvest management infrastructure.

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AD/NS

Sectoral logistics planning promotes ministry-level infrastructure, modal-mix optimization and policy reforms to improve logistics efficiency and sustainability. The SPEL initiative under the Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan directs sector-specific logistics planning by Ministries, focusing on infrastructure, process reforms, digital improvements, policy and regulatory adjustments, and capacity building. Ministry of Steel's SPEL work covers supply and demand analysis, forecasting and strategic logistics readiness planning. Ministry of Coal's Integrated Coal Evacuation Plan under the Coal Logistics Policy identifies infrastructure gaps and multimodal optimization including rail network optimization to reduce logistics costs and emissions.