DPIIT finalises model city logistics plans for Delhi Bengaluru

The government is in the final stages of preparing a model city logistics plan for Delhi and Bengaluru, aimed at organizing passenger and freight traffic to reduce pollution and congestion in India’s busiest cities. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has finalized the plans for these two cities, which were selected for this initiative in early 2022.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has finalized model City Logistics Plans (CLPs) for Delhi and Bengaluru to enhance urban freight efficiency and reduce logistics costs. Supported by the Indo-German technical cooperation and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Green Freight Project, these plans incorporate international best practices to address congestion, pollution, and high logistics costs, improving overall quality of life in cities.

Both Delhi and Karnataka governments have supported the development of these plans.

The CLPs will serve as guidelines for other Indian cities, helping state and city authorities design efficient freight and logistics strategies. These plans align with the Central government’s goals to ease business operations and achieve carbon Net Zero by 2070. The guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for cities to assess their logistics needs, gather relevant data, and develop tailored solutions with input from stakeholders.

The 2022 National Logistics Policy encourages the development of city-level logistics plans, aiming to boost urban freight efficiency and sustainability. 

Globally, countries like Japan, Germany, France, and Brazil have implemented city logistics plans to improve freight management, reduce emissions, and ease congestion. These countries focus on integrating logistics with urban mobility plans, promoting sustainability and efficiency in dense urban environments.

Urban freight, especially first and last-mile movement, contributes significantly to high logistics costs in India. Traditional, ad-hoc planning has often overlooked the competition for road space between passenger and freight traffic. Comprehensive city logistics plans are essential for addressing these challenges and creating a sustainable, efficient urban logistics system.