ENA Sectors 2025-10-14 17:57:45 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Oct 14 (KNN)</strong> India is planning to establish a federal Transport Planning Authority to coordinate infrastructure projects across aviation, highways, shipping, railways, and urban planning. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The move aims to reduce wasteful spending, improve project efficiency, and ensure better alignment between various transport systems, according to people familiar with the matter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The new body, which will work closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modis office, is expected to receive Cabinet approval within three to six months. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">It will act as a central agency to synchronize efforts across ministries and ensure that projects are viable, timely, and connected. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The initiative draws inspiration from international models such as Londons Transport for London and Seouls Metropolitan Transport Commission, which have successfully integrated urban transport planning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">India, which is investing tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure as part of its vision to become a developed nation by 2047, has often faced issues of inefficiency and underused assets. Many airports, metro systems, and transport hubs operate below capacity due to uncoordinated planning. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">For instance, 12 of Indias 140 airports recorded no passengers between December and March, and metro networks in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru function at only a fraction of their intended capacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The PM Gati Shakti initiative, launched in 2021 to improve inter-departmental coordination, covered 58 departments and 36 states but was limited mainly to project approvals and did not fully resolve integration challenges. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The upcoming Transport Planning Authority aims to go further by prioritizing feasible projects, accelerating clearances, and ensuring that transport infrastructure aligns with actual demand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This strategic reform is expected to make Indias infrastructure development more efficient, connected, and future-ready.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 43801 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/india-to-set-up-federal-transport-planning-authority-to-streamline-infrastructure-development 2025-10-14 17:57:45 knnindia.co.in