States must develop action plans for better logistics planning to attract investments: Shri Goyal

Shri Goyal advocates for Green Logistics initiative to drive sustainable growth

States must leverage public-private partnerships for success of multi-modal hubs: Shri Goyal

States along with the private sector must develop action plans for better logistics business to attract investments. There is a need to develop regional and city-level logistics plans as well for last-mile connectivity. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal during the release of the “Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024” report today in New Delhi. He also presided over the felicitation function of the “Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2024”.

He emphasised on implementation of measures to promote green logistics, workforce inclusivity and facilitation of Central Government projects. He noted that adoption of newer technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics is vital for achieving greater success in future. The Minister also laid emphasis on skill development to boost the logistics sector.

Minister Goyal also said that the country should engage on gender inclusivity and encourage greater participation of women in the sector and States must leverage public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the logistics sector for better success. He urged the States to look at multi-modal hubs for in-land container depots and make land available through the bidding mode to promote transparency and cutting down costs.

He urged the logistics sector to adopt LEAD framework – Longevity, Efficiency and Effectiveness, Accessibility and Accountability and Digitalisation of processes to transform the logistics sector and prepare India for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

On this occasion, Shri Goyal highlighted the significance of LEADS in providing actionable insights to States and UTs to advance logistics reforms. He commended the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in making logistics a critical enabler for India’s economic growth. “Logistics should look at exponential growth for India to grow rapidly, he said.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada and Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, also graced the event.

In LEADS 2024, the report evaluates logistics performance across four key pillars: Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services, Operating and Regulatory Environment, and the newly introduced Sustainable Logistics. It further highlights initiatives undertaken by various States and UTs across these pillars and identifies State/UT-specific opportunities to enable informed decision-making.

Performance Highlights of LEADS 2024

• Coastal Group
  • Achievers: Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu
  • Fast Movers: Andhra Pradesh, Goa
  • Aspirers: Kerala, West Bengal
• Landlocked Group
  • Achievers: Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
  • Fast Movers: Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan
  • Aspirers: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
• North-Eastern Group
  • Achievers: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
  • Fast Movers: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura
  • Aspirers: Manipur
• Union Territories
  • Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
  • Fast Movers: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Puducherry
  • Aspirers: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh

Shri Bhatia highlighted that the 6th edition of the LEADS report, launched today, brings enhanced objectivity to its outcomes, with a notable increase in the number of objective indicators. These include measures related to accessibility to terminals and the speed of key road corridors across various States/UTs, offering a detailed perspective on logistics performance.

In addition to the launch of the LEADS 2024 Report, the event also hosted the felicitation function for the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS 2024) Awards. Shri Goyal recognized and felicitated exceptional contributions to the logistics sector with prestigious awards across various categories, including core logistics services, MSMEs, startups, and institutions.

LEAPS 2024 showcases leadership and innovation within the logistics sector, celebrating exceptional contributions through a transparent evaluation process backed by a comprehensive and rigorous assessment.

Winners of LEAPS 2024 Include:

• Core Logistics:
  • Air Freight Service Provider: Kerry Indev Logistics Private Limited
  • Maritime Freight Service Provider: Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd
  • Multimodal Transport Operators: Avana Logistek Limited
  • Rail Freight Service Provider: DP World Rail Logistics Private Limited
  • Road Freight Service Provider: CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd.
  • Warehouse Service Provider (Industrial and Consumables): APM Terminals India Private Limited
  • Warehouse Service Provider (Agriculture): Globus Warehousing and Trading Private Limited
• Startups:
  • Logistics Operations: Myzek Logistics Pvt Ltd
  • Logistics Technology: Sarvodaya Infotech Pvt Ltd
• MSMEs:
  • Logistics Service Provider: Shipwaves Online Limited
• Institutions:
  • Education and Skill Development in the Logistics Sector: Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai
• Special Categories:
  • Logistics service delivery for e-commerce operations: Delhivery Limited
  • Multimodal logistics service provider: Pushpak Logistics Solutions LLP

Shri Piyush Goyal also launched the PM GatiShakti Course of GatiShakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a 15-hour course on “PM GatiShakti Concept for Efficient Infrastructure Planning and National Development”. The course will be hosted on the iGOT Karmayogi platform and UGC SWAYAM portal to ensure broad accessibility and will be integrated into the curriculum of Central Training Institutes (CTIs) and State Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) across the country.

Further, Shri Piyush Goyal along Shri Jitin Prasada and Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia officially unveiled the Report on Logistics Cost Framework prepared by NCAER, aiming at assessment of logistics cost in India. Guided by a dedicated task force comprising representatives from NITI Aayog, Central Transport Ministries (Rail, Road, Ports, etc), MoSPI, academia, and industry stakeholders, this framework introduces a hybrid methodology to accurately estimate logistics costs, integrating EXIM and domestic cargo data.

The above initiatives by DPIIT are crucial to strengthening India’s logistics ecosystem by fostering competitive federalism and recognizing innovation, as they pave the way for a more efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive logistics sector, contributing to India’s vision of becoming a $32 trillion economy by 2047.

Logistics planning reform: states must adopt action plans, PPPs, green logistics and digitalisation to boost efficiency. States must prepare state, regional and city logistics action plans, leverage public private partnerships, and allocate land transparently for multi modal hubs to improve last mile connectivity and attract investment; policies emphasise green logistics, workforce inclusivity, skills development, technological adoption and digitalisation. LEADS 2024 evaluates States/UTs across four pillars including Sustainable Logistics, adds objective indicators on terminal accessibility and corridor speeds, and categorises jurisdictions to guide targeted reforms. Complementary measures include a PM GatiShakti course for infrastructure planning and an NCAER Logistics Cost Framework using a hybrid EXIM/domestic methodology.