National Logistics Day : Stakeholders see industry poised for steady growth

NEW DELHI: The World Bank in its report on Logistics Performance Index for 2023, highlighted that technology has beenacriticalcomponentofIndia’seffortonboostinglogistics performance with supply chain digitalization undertaken throughpublic-privatepartnershipmode.

Unified Logistics Interface Platform or ULIP, a digital gateway wherein private sector can integrate itself and access secure information related to logistics and resources available with various ministries of the government, is one of theprimeenablersofsuchpublic-privatepartnership.

As the world observes National Logistics Day today on June 28, stakeholders from India’s logistics industry highlight the advances the sector has made since the ending of the pandemic and outline the opportunities that present themselvesassupplychainundergoesrejigglobally.

“Post the announcement of the policy, India’s logistics infrastructure has shown steady growth. With the objective of a one-stop solution for national logistics, four key actions of NLP (National Logistics Policy) – IDS (Integration of Digital System), ULIP, ELOG (Ease of Logistics), and Group for System Improvement, were introduced with the integration of the latest technology,”saidZaibaSarang,Co-founder,iThinkLogistics.

Sarang outlined that the National Logistics Policy, unveiled in September 2022, has stamped the backbone of the logistics infrastructure, paving the way for streamlined operations,enhancedefficiency,andacceleratedgrowth.

“Driven by the thrust on initiatives like the ‘Make in India’ and adequate government policy support, especially through NLP (National Logistics Policy) and focus on developing the transport infrastructure, access to FDI and public-private partnerships, India is poised for rapid economic growth. The Indian logistics market is projected to $380 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 10% to 12% and will be crucial for attaining India’s vision of being a $ 5 trillion economy by Fy25,” said Varun Gada, Director,

LP Logiscience, warehousing and transportation business armofLiladharPasooGroup.

Transport Corporation of India outlined that the country is undergoing a ‘PHYGITAL’ infrastructure development, with thelogisticsindustryataninflectionpoint.

Digitisation, automation without any compromise on sustainability has emerged as the major themes for the industry.

“Weareverymuchalignedwiththepowerofautomationto revolutionize the logistics landscape, driving efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction to unprecedented heights. Warehouse automation enables companies to optimize their warehouse operations, reduce costs, and deliver faster, more accurate services,” said Sandeep Bansal, Chief Business Officer, Falcon Autotech.

“While we are at the corridor of embracing the future, sustainability in logistics, paperless logistics and reduction of carbon footprint has been the epitome of any conversation. NLP at the same time is concentrating on reducing carbon footprint with the introduction of IDS and ULIP which works towards digitizing the entire supply chain process despite the highlyfragmentednatureofthesector,”addedSarang.

Globally, as major economies and businesses plan for a China +1 strategy, diversifying their supply chain and business operations, the execution of the National Logistics Policy and its associated platforms, should enable India to emergeasasupplychainalternativetoChina.

“With diverse business landscape, skilled workforce, supportive government policies, aspiration to become to global manufacturing hub, and access to the domestic market of 1.3 billion people with growing disposable incomes, India is among the few frontrunners, to emerge as a leading hub for logistics and supply chain, including global cold supply chains for food and pharma,” said Swarup Bose, Founder and Director at Celcius.