Patanjali Civil Services Academy

Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) [Prelims Bits]

Tags: Prelims Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Hindu

Context: Union Cabinet approved Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) as an apex body to integrate planning of roads, railways, ports and other transport modes.
Nature: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
Core function: Integrated planning, appraisal and monitoring of transport & logistics projects.
National Transport Master Plan: 10+ year horizon, covering major transport modes.
Sectoral plans: ~5-year plans and annual ministry plans to be aligned with the Master Plan.
Project threshold: ITLA will technically appraise and monitor projects ≥ ₹500 crore.
- Financial appraisal remains with existing mechanisms.
- Will coordinate bottleneck resolution.
- Will conduct post-completion impact assessments.
National Transport Data Repository: To integrate data from:
- GSTN e-way bills
- FASTag
- VAHAN
- GPS-based systems
- Other transport databases.
Shift from mode-wise planning → multimodal transport planning.
Aims to improve logistics efficiency, connectivity and infrastructure utilisation.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: Existing GIS-based framework for multimodal infrastructure planning, integrating data from multiple ministries/departments. ITLA's proposed role would complement this broader multimodal approach.

Q1. With reference to the proposed Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), consider the following statements:

ITLA is envisaged as an apex body to move transport infrastructure planning from a mode-specific approach towards integrated multimodal planning.
The National Transport Master Plan under ITLA is intended to have a horizon of more than ten years, while sectoral plans and annual ministry plans are to be aligned with it.
ITLA will replace the existing financial appraisal mechanisms for all transport infrastructure projects above ₹500 crore.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is Correct: The central idea is to shift from mode-wise planning to multimodal integration.
Statement 2 is Correct: The National Transport Master Plan has a 10+ year horizon, with shorter-term sectoral and annual plans aligned to it.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: ITLA's role is primarily technical appraisal and monitoring; financial appraisal remains with existing mechanisms.