Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on India’s 75th Independence Day that the government would begin the “PM Gati Shakti Master Plan,” an Rs. 100 lakh-crore initiative to create “holistic infrastructure.”
PM Modi mentioned the initiative in his address as a potential source of employment possibilities for the youth. He also advocated for an Amrit Kaal—the 25-year period leading up to India’s 100th anniversary of independence—to address all growth imperatives. The PM Gati Shakti program aims to break down silos in the transportation network, including road, rail, air, and waterways, to shorten travel times and boost industrial output.
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India has been striving to restructure its logistics sector, including trains, motorways, inland waterways, and airports, to create a more efficient transportation network. Even though logistics accounts for around 13% of overall expenses for Indian firms, making exports uncompetitive compared to China.
The government is attempting to rebuild the Indian economy, which has suffered a severe setback due to the coronavirus epidemic that began in Wuhan, China. Since then, the economy has quickly rebounded, with India exporting a record $35.4 billion in July. India spends $12 trillion each year to fulfill its energy demands, prompting a National Hydrogen Mission launch. Green hydrogen is created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolyzer driven by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. It can be a game-changer for India, which imports 85 percent of its oil and 53 percent of its gas consumption.
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While announcing the mission, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need for energy independence, saying that the plan entails India becoming a worldwide centre for green hydrogen production and exports. He believes that for India to grow and become self-sufficient, it must become energy independent. Modi also addressed environmental security, stating that Indian Railways has set a goal of being a Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. He also said that in the future, the focus would be on scaling up welfare systems to reach 100% saturation levels, ensuring that every eligible individual is covered.