Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari seeks infra status for logistic parks

NEW DELHI: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today said he has written to the commerce ministry seeking infrastructure status for logistic parks.

The move will help logistic companies easily avail loans from banks to boost infrastructure, the minister said.

"I have written to the Ministry of Commerce to get infrastructure status for logistic parks," the Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister said on the sidelines of an event here.

The government is planning to provide infra status to the logistic sector to boost the economy, Gadkari said.

"However, the final call will be taken by the Finance Ministry," he said, adding the move is important for the development of multi-modal hubs in the country which is part of government's infra push.

The involvement of states is critical for development process as "they are our biggest allies in ensuring logistics transformation in the country. Thirty-five points have been identified for the development of logistics parks and I have personally written to chief ministers of states to make sure these projects progress," the Minister said.

Moreover, the ministry has already developed a draft policy for the development of logistics parks.

"The land from logistics parks can come from states and we will form a SPV with the state government. In case the land comes from private developers, we will form firm guidelines for the land usage and implementation. Any initiative and investment in these projects will be facilitated," he said.