UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 2 Q6: model answer
The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.
What the question wants
Discuss why PM Gati Shakti needs close coordination between government and the private sector to deliver connectivity.
How to structure it
Discuss: what it is, why coordination, how.
- Plan
- Why coordination
- Mechanisms
- Challenges
- Conclusion
How to think it through
Gati Shakti is a GIS-based master plan launched in October 2021. Its strength is data and joint planning across 16 ministries; its weakness is execution with private capital and states.
Model answer
For decades a road was built one year and dug up the next to lay a gas pipeline. PM Gati Shakti (October 2021) puts all infrastructure layers on one GIS map so ministries plan together.
Why coordination with the private sector matters
- Much of the investment and execution comes from private developers, logistics firms and contractors.
- Ports, warehouses and freight terminals are often privately run.
- Private users must shape routes and timelines for the plan to cut logistics costs.
- Private firms also hold data on freight flows that the planners need.
Mechanisms
- Network Planning Group and Empowered Group of Secretaries.
- National Logistics Policy (2022) and ULIP for data sharing with industry.
- PPPs in multimodal logistics parks.
Challenges
- Land acquisition, approvals and state cooperation.
- Contract disputes and risk-sharing.
- Data security when sharing GIS layers.
- Delays in payments to contractors and frequent design changes.
Conclusion
India's logistics costs have long been estimated at 13–14% of GDP, though a 2023 study put them nearer 8–9%. Gati Shakti succeeds only if planning is joint and execution is shared, with fair contracts, timely payments and quick dispute resolution.
Draw: A map sketch with layered lines for road, rail, gas and fibre on one GIS base.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
PM Gati Shakti 2021, NMP GIS, BISAG-N, Network Planning Group, National Logistics Policy 2022, ULIP, multimodal logistics parks, PPP.
Where most answers lose marks
- Writing only about the plan's features.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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