New Delhi, Sep 27 (NationPress) The newly sanctioned Integrated State and City Logistics Plan aims to propel India's sustainability objectives by promoting low- and zero-emission vehicles alongside the creation of low-emission freight zones, as per various reports.

In partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the government has initiated this plan across eight cities in eight states, focusing on assessing the current logistics framework, pinpointing challenges, and crafting a roadmap for enhancements.

The cities selected include Ludhiana, Shimla, Jaipur, Indore, Patna, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati, as part of a program spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Logistics strategists will emphasize the freight requirements of local retailers and e-commerce businesses, concentrating on truck terminals, urban thoroughfares, and optimized last-mile delivery systems.

Officials have stated that these strategies will eventually be expanded nationwide to facilitate seamless movement of goods and bolster supply chain resilience.

The ADB is providing technical assistance to synchronize state-level logistics approaches with urban freight networks and overarching mobility objectives.

Officials noted that focusing on linking growth hubs to significant trunk routes at the state level while enhancing urban freight systems at the city level will greatly improve supply chain efficiency.

Considerations for sustainability include the integration of low- and zero-emission vehicles for last-mile logistics and the adoption of noise-reduction strategies.

The DPIIT has emphasized the critical role of automation and data-centric decision-making in boosting operational efficacy, reducing expenses, and fostering transparency in freight operations.

Planning for this initiative will span 6 to 8 months, as per a DPIIT official, who added that upon plan approval, the government might pursue additional support from the ADB for implementation.