CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 25
GREEN LOGISTICS : COVER STORY
Systemic Ef昀椀ciency and Policy
Reforms
Dhruv Taneja, Founder and CEO of MatchLog
Solutions, highlights the importance of execution and
systemic e昀케ciency in India’s logistics and maritime
sectors. “The Union Budget 2025 takes necessary steps
toward strengthening India’s logistics and maritime
sectors, but execution will determine its real impact.
Expanding shipbuilding capacity and setting up a 2₹ 5,000
crore Maritime Development Fund are important, but
without solving ine昀케ciencies in container movement,
intermodal logistics, and supply chain integration,
infrastructure growth alone won’t drive meaningful
progress. Reducing empty miles, improving cargo
transitions, and integrating digital freight solutions
must be a priority to make these investments e昀昀ective,” he says.
Taneja also emphasises the potential of BharatTradeNet, a uni昀椀ed trade platform introduced in the
budget. “The introduction of BharatTradeNet has the
potential to enhance transparency and digitisation in
global trade. However, its success will depend on how
seamlessly it integrates with existing digital logistics
networks and promotes real-time data sharing across
stakeholders,” he notes.
Additionally, Taneja welcomes the focus on Alternate
Investment Funds (AIFs) and a potential Deep Tech Fund
of Funds. “The focus on AIFs and a Deep Tech Fund
of Funds is a step in the right direction for startups
working on supply chain optimisation. A streamlined
regulatory framework and a High-Level Committee for
Regulatory Reforms could help remove long-standing
operational bottlenecks,” he adds.
Taneja concludes by stressing the need for a holistic
approach to India’s logistics ecosystem. “Policies must
go beyond infrastructure investment and prioritise
systemic e昀케ciency, sustainability, and technology-driven
solutions for India’s logistics ecosystem to evolve.”
Rail Modernisation for Freight
and Commuter Ef昀椀ciency
While EVs take centre stage in the green transport
conversation, railways play an equally signi昀椀cant role
in reducing the carbon footprint of long-haul logistics
and mass transit. Indian Railways, which contributes
to nearly 3% of the nation’s GDP, has embarked on an
ambitious electri昀椀cation programme.
The upcoming federal budget is set to prioritise rail
modernisation, with anticipated investments of 2₹ .9 to
3₹ trillion for 2025–26. Goals include completing Indian
Railways’ electri昀椀cation programme for its 68,000
km network and introducing 400 high-speed Vande
Bharat trains by 2027. These trains are designed not
only to deliver faster services but also to minimise
energy consumption through regenerative braking
technology.
A signi昀椀cant portion of rail infrastructure investments also targets enhanced freight movement e昀케ciency.
Green freight corridors, complemented by advancements
in digital solutions, are expected to curtail reliance on
polluting roadways and drive down logistics costs for
industries.
BALAJEE BOBBA
Director, Bobba Group
Sustainability is becoming
an increasingly important
focus within the air cargo
ground handling sector. We
recognise the need to balance growth with environmental responsibility.
One of the emerging trends in the industry is the
adoption of green technologies and practices, such
as electric Ground Support Equipment (GSE), energyefficient facilities, and carbon footprint reduction
programmes. We are committed to minimising our
environmental impact by integrating sustainable
practices across our operations.
MANU RAJ BHALLA
Global Head– Contract Logistics
and Supply Chain,
Freight Systems
We recently built large green
warehouses, incorporating
key sustainability principles.
These warehouses are EDGE certified by the Green
Building Council of India, supported by the US Green
Building Council and World Bank. We’ve implemented
water harvesting and recycling systems to reduce
water consumption. Our warehouses are entirely
solar-powered, significantly reducing energy use.
Building a green warehouse typically costs 20 to
25% more than a conventional warehouse. However,
this comes back to the idea of long-term value and
investment in sustainability.
CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2025 | 25
