Plans, proposals and projections of Viksit Bharat in the mobility sector:

Plans, proposals and projections of Viksit Bharat in the mobility sector:

Introduction

Mobility is essential for economic growth and human development. An efficient and sustainable transportation system enables the movement of people and goods, connects markets, and provides access to essential services like healthcare and education. As India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, transforming the mobility sector will be critical. 

The government of India has laid out an ambitious vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or Developed India by the 100th year of independence in 2047. Central to this vision is enhancing mobility and connectivity across the country. The focus is on building next-generation infrastructure, harnessing technology innovations, enabling efficient and seamless multi-modal mobility, and meeting sustainability goals.

Key Government Plans and Proposals

The government has announced several initiatives and investments to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat in the mobility sector.

Bharatmala Pariyojana: This is a mega highways development program to build 66,117 km of highways at an estimated cost of ₹5.35 lakh crore. It focuses on seamless connectivity between major ports and interior parts of the country through economic corridors and inter-corridor routes. 

Sagarmala Program: Initiated in 2015, this program aims to promote port-led development in the country by harnessing India's 7,517 km coastline and navigable waterways. It has over 400 projects with an investment of ₹4 lakh crore to enable port connectivity and port-linked industrialization.

Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme: Launched in 2016, UDAN aims to enhance regional air connectivity to underserved and unserved airports at affordable fares. 349 new routes have been initiated under the scheme. The budget for 2022-23 has an allocation of ₹ 1045 crore for UDAN.

NHAI's InVIT program: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sponsored India's first infrastructure investment trust (InVIT) to monetize completed national highway projects and mobilize funds for new projects. 

Gati Shakti National Master Plan: Announced in 2021, this ₹100 lakh crore national infrastructure plan aims to integrate planning and synchronize infrastructure projects across ministries including railways, roads, and logistics. It will play a key role in planning transportation infrastructure.

Metro Rail Projects: To enhance urban mobility, metro rail projects are being implemented rapidly in major cities. As of 2022, 702 km of metro lines are operational in 18 cities and additional 1,016 km are under construction in 27 cities. 

Multimodal Logistics Parks: 35 multi-modal logistics parks are being developed across India to enable seamless freight transportation through integration of rail, road, air and waterways. This will boost logistics efficiency and reduce transportation costs.

Technology Advancements

The government aims to harness technology to make mobility safe, efficient, seamless, and sustainable in India. Some key focus areas are:

Intelligent Transportation Systems: Solutions like electronic toll collection, traffic management systems, vehicle tracking and navigation systems, and passenger information systems are being deployed across national and state highways. This will reduce congestion and improve traffic management.

Electric Mobility: FAME scheme with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore incentivizes electric vehicle adoption. The government aims for 30% private cars, 70% commercial vehicles, 40% buses, and 80% two-and-three wheelers to go electric by 2030.

Vehicle Safety Systems: Mandating vehicle safety features like airbags, ABS, CBS, speed alert system, and reverse parking sensors aim to reduce road accidents and fatalities. 

Unified Logistics Interface Platform: The ULIP program aims to develop a logistics e-marketplace for seamless movement, exchange of logistics information, and eliminate inefficiencies for benefitting cargo owners, transporters and logistics providers.

Use of Cleaner Fuels: BS-VI emission standards, increasing ethanol blending in petrol to 20% and promoting biofuels aim to reduce vehicular pollution and carbon footprint. LNG is being promoted as an automotive fuel for long-haul transportation.

Financial Outlays

The government has steadily increased budget outlays for transportation infrastructure over the past decade realizing its multiplier effects on economic growth.

The total budget for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2022-23 is ₹1.99 lakh crore. The capital expenditure is ₹1.34 lakh crore for the construction, upgradation and maintenance of national highways.

Indian Railways received a capital expenditure allotment of ₹1.4 lakh crore in the 2022-23 budget. Massive investments are being made in new tracks, gauge conversion, doubling projects, dedicated freight corridors, high-speed rail, and station redevelopment. 

The shipping sector has an overall budget allotment of ₹7,500 crore with ₹2,200 crore for port infrastructure and ₹1,400 crore for Sagarmala projects. 

For civil aviation, the 2022-23 budget has ₹10,667 crore allocation which includes ₹1,130 crore for UDAN scheme to boost regional connectivity. 

Urban mobility projects like metro, buses, and electric vehicles received a budget outlay of ₹19,130 crore in 2022-23 under the AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission.

Expected Outcomes

The government's concerted plans and investments to transform mobility infrastructure aim to achieve the following outcomes:

- Expanded national highways network to 2 lakh km by 2025 to improve connectivity to economic hubs and remote areas

- Increasing the share of railways in freight transportation from 27% currently to 45% by 2030 through dedicated freight corridors

- Enhancing port capacity to over 3,000 MT by 2025 from current 1,400 MT through Sagarmala projects

- Augmenting airport capacity to handle 1 billion trips annually by 2030 from 340 million currently

- Increasing metro rail network in top ten cities to 700 km by 2025 and 1,580 km by 2030 for sustainable urban mobility

- Achieving 40% share of clean energy vehicles in new vehicle sales by 2030 through EV incentives and infrastructure

- Reducing logistics costs from 14% of GDP currently to less than 10% by 2030 through multimodal logistics parks

- Cutting down road accident deaths by 50% from 150,000 in 2020 to 70,000 by 2025 through safety regulations 

- Improving last mile delivery and passenger connectivity through 1 lakh additional Gramin Dak Sewa vehicles in rural areas

The targeted transportation infrastructure development and technology integration are expected to boost India’s competitiveness, spur economic growth, create employment opportunities and enhance ease of living in the country. Efficient mobility will be the bedrock of a Viksit Bharat.

Conclusion

Transportation has a multiplier effect on growth and societal progress. As India aims to be among the top three economies globally by 2047, a modern, efficient, seamless, and sustainable mobility ecosystem is indispensable. The government’s roadmap encompassing highways, railways, waterways, airports and urban mobility aims to transform the sector through infrastructure expansion and emerging technologies. While significant progress has been made, continued investments, policy reforms, adoption of global best practices and public-private partnerships hold the key to fully realising the vision of a mobile and connected Viksit Bharat.