( Union Minister Piyush Goyal)
Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Commerce and Industry, Railways and Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution MInister Piyush Goyal on March 3, 2021, emphasised on integration of road, rail, and waterways to bring down the cost of transportation logistics and ensure success in achieving ‘One nation, One market’. Speaking at the Maritime India Summit 2021, he said that we are working on multi-modal logistics solutions to bring down the cost of transportation and increase supply chain efficiency
Appealing to all stakeholders to utilise this opportunity to transform from being ‘service provider’ to ‘knowledge provider’, Goyal said that if we re-invent with technology driven solutions like robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, our sector will be SAFE: Sustainable, Agile, Futuristic, and Efficient.
“It’s time that we plan our port sector in such a manner that we can have modern and efficient ports, turnaround time of ships is brought down significantly. A more competitive spirit will help to keep the cost in freight and at port low. The Maritime India 2030 vision launched by the Prime Minister highlights the priorities of our government. The slated investments of Rs 3 lakh crore in various port projects will help create 20 lakh new jobs in this sector. The investment in the Sagarmala projects will boost our Maritime infrastructure and help expand our freight corridors.”
Goyal said that in the 6 years, the capacity of our major ports has almost doubled. He said that we have developed smart cities and industrial parks and integrated ports with the coastal economic zones. International and domestic freight costs will reduce from 13-14% Cost of Goods to a more acceptable international benchmark of 8%. Goyal said that our Government’s 3 mantras for the infrastructure sector are: Upgrade – Create – Dedicate, according to a PIB release.
The Minister said that We are working to turn our coastal region into a role model for ease of living and ease of doing business. He urged the industry captains to build industry at sea coasts. He said that we on our part will ensure ease of doing business, and will work in partnership with States for enhancing ease of doing business at state and local level. The Minister said “Let us work together with a triple engine: – Engine of Central Govt – Engine of State Govt – Engine of our Robust Maritime Sector.”
Goyal said that Maritime India summit 2021 will be the beginning of our victory against high freight costs, our victory to be an international player in maritime sector, and our victory in ensuring jobs for lakhs of brothers and sisters. He informed that as on February 28, 2021, Indian Railways has moved 110 crore metric tonnes of freight traffic, which is exactly the same quantity that was moved in the previous year as on February 28, 2020.