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In a move aimed at deepening research-driven policymaking in the infrastructure sector, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced the establishment of a specialised research centre focused on transportation, mobility, and logistics economics. The facility will be housed at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in New Delhi.
The initiative marks the first dedicated and permanent institutional effort in India to study the economic dimensions of the transport and logistics sector through a structured research framework.
To formalise the collaboration, NHAI and NCAER have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). While NHAI will provide financial support for the project, NCAER will work with academic institutions, industry stakeholders and research partners to build a robust knowledge ecosystem around the centre.
According to officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the initiative reflects the growing importance of data-backed planning in managing and expanding India's rapidly evolving highway infrastructure network.
The centre's research agenda will cover a broad spectrum of subjects, including freight movement, highway economics, multimodal transport integration, regional development impacts, tolling strategies, road asset monetisation, safety-related interventions and the use of emerging technologies in highway operations and maintenance.
By generating policy-focused studies and analytical insights, the institution is expected to support government departments in designing more efficient, sustainable and user-centric transportation systems. The findings could also contribute to improving investment planning and infrastructure management practices across the sector.
Apart from conducting research, the centre will function as a national knowledge platform. It will disseminate findings through reports, policy briefs, working papers, stakeholder consultations, workshops and academic collaborations, while also helping build expertise in transportation economics among professionals and researchers.
Governance of the centre will be overseen by an Advisory Committee comprising economists, public policy experts, transportation specialists and academicians. NHAI's Member (Finance) and NCAER's Director General will also be part of the panel. In addition, a separate Steering Committee established by NHAI will monitor research priorities and review outcomes.
NHAI has committed support for the centre over the next decade, underlining its long-term commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and evidence-based decision-making in the transport sector.
Commenting on the partnership, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said the authority has consistently focused on improving connectivity and logistics efficiency across the country. He noted that the collaboration would provide a dedicated platform for high-quality research and policy analysis, enabling more informed decisions on infrastructure planning, investment and asset management in the years ahead.
In a move aimed at deepening research-driven policymaking in the infrastructure sector, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced the establishment of a specialised research centre focused on transportation, mobility, and logistics economics. The facility will be housed at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in New Delhi. The initiative marks the first dedicated and permanent institutional effort in India to study the economic dimensions of the transport and logistics sector through a structured research framework. To formalise the collaboration, NHAI and NCAER have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). While NHAI will provide financial support for the project, NCAER will work with academic institutions, industry stakeholders and research partners to build a robust knowledge ecosystem around the centre. According to officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the initiative reflects the growing importance of data-backed planning in managing and expanding India's rapidly evolving highway infrastructure network. The centre's research agenda will cover a broad spectrum of subjects, including freight movement, highway economics, multimodal transport integration, regional development impacts, tolling strategies, road asset monetisation, safety-related interventions and the use of emerging technologies in highway operations and maintenance. By generating policy-focused studies and analytical insights, the institution is expected to support government departments in designing more efficient, sustainable and user-centric transportation systems. The findings could also contribute to improving investment planning and infrastructure management practices across the sector. Apart from conducting research, the centre will function as a national knowledge platform. It will disseminate findings through reports, policy briefs, working papers, stakeholder consultations, workshops and academic collaborations, while also helping build expertise in transportation economics among professionals and researchers. Governance of the centre will be overseen by an Advisory Committee comprising economists, public policy experts, transportation specialists and academicians. NHAI's Member (Finance) and NCAER's Director General will also be part of the panel. In addition, a separate Steering Committee established by NHAI will monitor research priorities and review outcomes. NHAI has committed support for the centre over the next decade, underlining its long-term commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and evidence-based decision-making in the transport sector. Commenting on the partnership, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said the authority has consistently focused on improving connectivity and logistics efficiency across the country. He noted that the collaboration would provide a dedicated platform for high-quality research and policy analysis, enabling more informed decisions on infrastructure planning, investment and asset management in the years ahead.
With the upcoming expansion of cargo and aviation activity linked to the Noida International Airport, the Noida Authority has initiated a citywide survey exercise aimed at developing a comprehensive City Logistics Plan (CLP) for the region. Officials said survey teams have begun collecting data from industrial corridors, transportation routes, logistics facilities and warehousing zones across the city. The findings will form the basis of a long-term strategy intended to improve freight movement, reduce congestion, and support sustainable urban logistics growth. The City Logistics Plan is being prepared under the framework of the National Logistics Policy (NLP), a flagship initiative of the central government focused on improving supply chain efficiency and reducing logistics costs across India. Noida is among the selected cities identified for implementing the programme. According to officials, the survey exercise is expected to continue for about a week. Once completed, the collected data will be analysed and compiled into a report that will help shape future logistics infrastructure planning. Vaibhav Gupta, Senior Manager in the Noida Authority’s Planning Department, said the study will assess existing freight movement patterns and identify opportunities to improve delivery efficiency while lowering transportation-related emissions. He added that the initiative is expected to support smoother cargo operations as economic activity around the upcoming airport gathers momentum. The project is being coordinated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) has been appointed to assist with the planning and execution of the study. As part of the assessment, officials will examine truck traffic volumes, freight corridors, warehousing infrastructure, logistics hubs and parking facilities. The study will also evaluate measures aimed at reducing bottlenecks, improving vehicle movement and encouraging environmentally sustainable freight practices. Feedback from industry representatives, transport operators and other stakeholders will be incorporated into the planning process. Noida remains one of northern India’s most significant industrial and manufacturing centres, hosting more than 10,000 industrial units across multiple sectors. The city has developed strong clusters in electronics, mobile phone manufacturing, engineering products, electrical equipment, automotive components, garments, packaging materials and IT hardware. Industry leaders have welcomed the move, saying the city’s logistics ecosystem requires a more coordinated approach. Business representatives believe a structured logistics framework can help improve operational efficiency, lower transportation costs and strengthen industrial competitiveness. Entrepreneurs have also highlighted persistent challenges related to truck parking. The absence of dedicated parking zones often forces commercial vehicles carrying raw materials to stop along roadsides, contributing to traffic congestion and operational delays. Another issue raised by industry groups concerns restrictions on truck entry into Delhi during peak hours. These regulations frequently lead to vehicle queues near the Delhi-Noida border, affecting cargo movement toward neighbouring states such as Haryana and Rajasthan. Stakeholders have suggested that authorities explore dedicated freight routes or alternative traffic-management measures to facilitate smoother movement of goods. The proposed City Logistics Plan is expected to provide a roadmap for addressing these challenges while preparing Noida for future growth as a major logistics and cargo hub in the National Capital Region.
Tata Motors has received fresh orders for more than 3,400 electric commercial vehicles (eCVs), reinforcing the growing acceptance of electric mobility across India's freight transportation and passenger mobility sectors. The latest bookings span a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from urban deliveries and logistics operations to heavy-duty industrial transportation and public transport services. According to the company, the order pipeline includes nearly 2,000 electric small commercial vehicles and pick-ups, around 900 electric trucks, and approximately 500 electric buses. These vehicles are expected to be deployed across sectors such as e-commerce, FMCG and FMCD distribution, logistics, construction materials transportation, mining operations, and city as well as intercity passenger movement. The development reflects a notable shift in how commercial fleet operators are approaching electrification. While electric vehicles were initially introduced through pilot projects and limited deployments, businesses are now increasingly integrating them into day-to-day operations at scale. Industry observers note that this transition is being driven by improvements in vehicle performance, lower operating costs, and expanding charging infrastructure. To address varying operational requirements, Tata Motors has steadily broadened its electric commercial vehicle portfolio over the past year. In the last-mile and intra-city delivery segment, models such as the Ace Pro EV, Ace EV, and Intra EV are designed to cater to urban logistics and distribution needs. These vehicles have found increasing relevance among e-commerce companies and logistics providers seeking cleaner and more cost-efficient transportation solutions. Beyond the light commercial segment, the company has expanded its offerings into medium and heavy-duty categories. The Ultra EV range, available in the 7-12 tonne segment, serves diverse freight applications, while the Prima EV 55T tractor and Prima EV 28T tipper cater to heavier industrial and infrastructure-related operations. For passenger transport, Tata Motors continues to strengthen its presence through the Starbus EV and Ultra EV bus platforms, which are being deployed for both city and inter-city travel. One of the key factors supporting wider adoption is the company's existing experience in electric mobility. Tata Motors currently has more than 3,800 electric buses operating across several Indian cities. Collectively, these buses have covered over 550 million kilometres, generating valuable operational insights across different climatic, geographic, and traffic conditions. Additionally, over 17,000 Tata electric small commercial vehicles are already active on Indian roads. Such large-scale deployments provide important data on vehicle reliability, battery performance, maintenance requirements, and overall fleet economics. For commercial operators, these factors often carry greater weight than the initial acquisition cost, as purchasing decisions are increasingly based on uptime, efficiency, and total cost of ownership. Industry experts also point out that vehicle availability alone will not determine the pace of commercial EV adoption. Recognising this, Tata Motors has focused on developing a supporting ecosystem around its electric vehicle portfolio. The company has partnered with more than 14 charging point operators, established financing arrangements through banks and NBFCs, and introduced digital fleet-management solutions through its Fleet Edge platform. It also offers uptime assurance programmes aimed at minimising operational disruptions. The latest order win strengthens Tata Motors' position in India's evolving electric commercial vehicle market. The diversity of the orders—covering small commercial vehicles, trucks, and buses—highlights the expanding relevance of electric mobility across multiple transportation segments. As businesses continue to pursue sustainability goals while seeking greater cost efficiencies, electric commercial vehicles are expected to play an increasingly significant role in fleet operations. For Tata Motors, these deployments not only contribute to market expansion but also create opportunities for further product refinement, stronger service networks, and deeper customer engagement in the years ahead.
