India plans to establish a federal Transport Planning Authority to coordinate infrastructure projects across aviation, highways, shipping, rail, and urban planning, aiming to curb wasteful spending and improve project efficiency.

Working closely with PM Modi’s office, the authority will align ministries, prioritize viable projects, and accelerate approvals, addressing inefficiencies from siloed departments.

Despite massive investments, many airports and metro systems operate below capacity, and previous initiatives like PM Gati Shakti failed to streamline planning effectively.

Inspired by Seoul and London, the new body seeks to reduce duplication, match infrastructure to demand, and ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of projects, enhancing India’s infrastructure development as it aims to become a developed nation by 2047.