PM launches National Logistics Policy

Speaking after launching the new policy, the Prime Minister, who released Cheetahs that have arrived from Namibia earlier in the day, said with this policy, transport will move at the speed of a Cheetah, and the pace of development would also increase.

"There was a time we used to release pigeons, today we are releasing Cheetahs," Modi said.

"What is common between Cheetah and Logistics Policy... we want to be able to move as fast as Cheetah," he said.

The Prime Minister said India is the fifth largest economy in the world, and asked the audience, "Are you not happy?"

As the audience replied with cheers and clapping, the Prime Minister said, "better late than never".

"It happens sometimes. Because there is so much negativity everywhere it's difficult to see good things," he said.

Modi called the new policy an important step.

"This is an important step towards a developed India. To ensure fast last-mile delivery, challenges of transport are addressed, our manufacturer, industries can save both time and money," Modi said.

He said to improve the logistics connectivity, we started schemes like Sagarmala, Bharatmala for systematic infrastructure development, and expedited the work of Dedicated Freight Corridors unprecedentedly.

"Policy in itself is not a result, it is the beginning. Policy plus performance is equal to progress," he said.

He said the new logistics policy will help the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan. He said the new policy will re energize all sectors.

An official government statement earlier said the need for a national logistics policy was felt since the logistics cost in India is high as compared to other developed economies.

"It is imperative to reduce the logistics cost in India for improving the competitiveness of Indian goods both in domestic as well as export markets. Reduced logistics cost improves efficiency cutting across various sectors of the economy, encouraging value addition and enterprise," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

The policy integrates 30 systems belonging to different ministries to create an integrated digital logistics system for faster, cheaper, and safer logistics services.

The policy introduces an integrated digital system (IDS) that will bring departments belonging to ministries of road transport, railways, customs, aviation, foreign trade and commerce on one platform.

All these departments have their own digital data which will be integrated under IDS. This will help smooth cargo movement.