The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has joined forces with GatiShakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) to advance India's infrastructure and logistics sectors. This collaboration aims to support the ambitious goal of making India's highways pothole-free by the end of the year.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), GSV will serve as the central agency responsible for designing, developing, and delivering courses and curricula related to the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy. These courses will be offered at various centres across different states.
The initiative emphasises accountability, with project directors overseeing NH maintenance required to conduct regular inspections. Their mandate includes visiting all sections of the highways under their jurisdiction at least once every 15 days to promptly address maintenance issues. This proactive approach is expected to lead to faster resolution of road problems, ensuring safer and more efficient travel.
To facilitate this endeavour, the government plans to place the entire 1.46 lakh km stretch of the NH network under a perpetual maintenance contract. This arrangement will eliminate the need for frequent tendering processes, streamlining maintenance efforts and reducing delays.
The urgency of this initiative is highlighted by alarming statistics from 2021, where potholes on Indian highways contributed to numerous road accidents, resulting in loss of lives and injuries. The government's comprehensive approach, involving multiple ministries, focuses on smarter planning and implementation, specialised development, and capacity building.
Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw, also Chancellor of GSV, emphasised the university's industry-focused and innovation-driven approach. GSV offers courses tailored to the transportation sector, including railways, metro, and high-speed railways, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the workforce.
In addition to academic partnerships, the government plans to engage engineering students in detecting potholes and addressing maintenance deficiencies, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the logistics sector.
This collaboration between the government and GSV marks a significant step toward comprehensive logistics sector development, supporting India's journey to become a global leader. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy are integral components of this initiative, aiming to drive economic growth, competitiveness, and a sustainable logistics network. GSV will play a pivotal role in creating knowledge centres and sharing learnings to benefit various stakeholders.
