The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority. The decision was taken on Tuesday and announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The new body will work as the apex institution for transport and logistics planning.

The authority will be formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle. It will handle integrated planning across roads, railways, ports, shipping, civil aviation, inland waterways, coastal shipping, urban mobility and logistics. It will also prepare a long-term national transport plan.

The body will build a unified transport data repository. It will use datasets such as the GSTN e-way bill, FASTag, Vahan and GPS-based systems. It will advise on updating the National Logistics Policy of 2022. It will also support capacity building and research.

The government said the authority will complement the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. It will not replace the work of existing ministries. The move aims to end fragmented planning across transport modes.