FICCI PwC report on Integrated multimodal transport in India
The FICCI–PwC Knowledge Report, Integrated Multimodal Transport in India, presents a comprehensive roadmap for transforming India’s transport ecosystem into a seamless, efficient and sustainable network. With rapid urbanisation, expanding trade volumes and ambitious economic goals, the report underscores the urgent need to integrate road, rail, ports, waterways, air and urban transport systems to reduce logistics costs, enhance connectivity and improve mobility outcomes.
Anchored in national initiatives such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the National Logistics Policy and the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), the report highlights how coordinated planning, digital integration and infrastructure synchronisation can unlock significant efficiency gains. It analyses the current state of India’s transport infrastructure, identifies critical gaps, and outlines challenges related to policy fragmentation, funding constraints and institutional silos.
The report also showcases global best practices and emerging technologies, including integrated ticketing, smart mobility solutions and data-driven planning, while emphasising the role of multimodal logistics parks and economic corridors. Importantly, it places sustainability, inclusivity and user-centric design at the core of transport planning.
Through actionable recommendations spanning policy reforms, infrastructure investments, technology adoption and governance mechanisms, the report serves as a strategic blueprint for policymakers, industry and stakeholders to collectively advance India’s journey towards a resilient, competitive and future-ready multimodal transport system aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Key Takeaways
- India’s transport system is vast, with roads carrying 65–70% of freight and 90% of passenger traffic, while railways handle 28% of freight and ports manage 95% of international trade volume
- Integrated multimodal transport (IMT) aims to connect road, rail, air, and waterways seamlessly, reducing logistics costs and improving efficiency
- PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, ULIP, dedicated freight corridors, and Sagarmala are key initiatives driving integration and connectivity
- IMT enhances speed and reliability, with examples like double-stack container trains reducing transit time from Gujarat ports to Delhi from 35 hours to under 12 hours
- Multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) are being developed to co-locate transport, storage, and industrial infrastructure, streamlining supply chains and reducing costs
- Urban transport integration is expanding, with metro networks growing from 248 km in 2014 to 1,010 km in 2024, serving over 10 million daily riders
- IMT supports inclusivity by improving first- and last-mile connectivity, enabling rural producers and MSMEs to access global supply chains
- Sustainability benefits include reduced congestion, lower emissions, and promotion of eco-friendly modes like rail and waterways
- Institutional frameworks such as the National Logistics Policy (2022), Metro Rail Policy (2017), and Maritime India Vision 2030 provide policy support for integration
- Challenges remain in infrastructure gaps, funding, and siloed planning, requiring stronger governance, interoperability, and digitalisation
- Global best practices and smart technologies like IoT, GIS, AI, and integrated ticketing systems are crucial for building a modern IMT ecosystem in India