Implementation of multimodal transportation to increase sustainability of local supply chains in India

This thesis explores multimodal transport’s role in enhancing sustainability in India's supply chains while addressing cost, productivity, and environmental challenges. Using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) strategy and Transportation Theory, it assesses economic, environmental, and social impacts. Road transport dominates, causing high carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The study reviews literature, case studies like the Sagarmala Project, and stakeholder surveys, identifying barriers such as poor infrastructure, high costs, and fragmented policies. However, integrating rail, road, and waterways can improve efficiency. Findings suggest multimodal transport lowers costs, emissions, and reliance on a single mode while enhancing service quality. Stakeholders support this shift, calling for policy backing, infrastructure investment, incentives, and technologies like IoT and blockchain. Strategic recommendations focus on collaboration, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure development. This research offers policy insights to improve India's supply chain sustainability and economic goals.