ADB-Funded SMILE Program to Enhance India's Logistics Efficiency

29 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program aims to improve India's logistics infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. It supports the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan by strengthening multimodal logistics, standardizing warehousing, and promoting digitalisation in trade logistics.

The program focuses on:

Developing multimodal logistics infrastructure at national, state, and city levels.
Standardizing warehousing and logistics assets to enhance supply chains and attract private investment.
Improving external trade logistics efficiency to boost India's global competitiveness.
Adopting smart systems for low-emission, sustainable logistics.

By addressing policy, infrastructure, and digital interventions, SMILE aims to improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index while creating job opportunities. It also includes gender inclusion initiatives, such as gender audits of land ports under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (2020-23) to ensure integrated check posts meet gender-responsive standards.

Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, the program strengthens domestic manufacturing, enhances global trade integration, and fosters private investment and digital transformation—contributing to India's long-term economic resilience and positioning the country as a global manufacturing and supply chain hub.

This information was shared by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

(PIB)

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..