CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 28
COVER STORY
DR SURENDRA KUMAR AHIRWAR
Joint Secretary (Logistics and Trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
"India's evolving logistics sector: enhancing
e昀케ciency through PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics
Policy, and innovation"
Strategic Government Initiatives
Fuelling India’s Logistics
Transformation
India's logistics sector is undergoing rapid transformation, fueled by strategic governmental initiatives
like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and
the National Logistics Policy. These reforms aim not
only at bolstering physical infrastructure but also at
enhancing software capabilities, which include digital
technologies and human resources. With a clear focus
on improving operational e昀케ciency, these frameworks
are helping to address signi昀椀cant logistics challenges.
In particular, the logistics sector has seen notable
advancements in multimodal transportation, where
the smooth integration of various transport modes
ensures seamless connectivity. Consequently, logistics
e昀케ciency has drastically improved, driving economic
growth and making supply chains more robust.
In line with these policies, both public and private
sectors are working together to create a logistics
ecosystem capable of handling the nation’s rapidly
growing demand for goods movement. The government's vision is to foster a streamlined, transparent,
and technology-driven supply chain framework to
boost productivity and lower costs. As a result, India
is progressively emerging as a global logistics hub
with world-class infrastructure capabilities and a
strong technological backbone that powers the entire
supply chain process.
Connecting the Dots: Enhancing
India’s Multimodal Transport for
Global Competitiveness
A crucial element in optimising India’s logistics network
lies in improving the e昀케ciency of multimodal transportation, which connects various transport systems such as
railways, roadways, airways, and waterways. India faces
signi昀椀cant hurdles in ensuring smooth transitions between
these modes, especially with railway and road networks
su昀昀ering from congestion. Despite the infrastructure's
capacity, bottlenecks remain due to inadequate facilities
for smooth intermodal transfers. The focus, therefore, has
been on building missing infrastructure that connects
the various modes of transport, enabling seamless cargo
movement across the country.
The government is making strides in enhancing
this connectivity by developing key transportation
corridors that integrate and streamline the operations
of these multimodal systems. Such e昀昀orts are essential
to improving transport e昀케ciency, reducing delivery
times, and optimising costs. By addressing critical
gaps in infrastructure, the sector is set to unlock its
28 | CARGOCONNECT JANUARY 2025
Dr Surendra Kumar Ahirwar discusses how India’s
logistics sector is undergoing a major transformation,
driven by government initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti
National Master Plan and the National Logistics Policy.
He highlights the integration of multimodal transport
systems, bolstered by public-private partnerships, as a
key to improving efficiency and reducing costs. Dr Ahirwar
also sheds light on the importance of the E2SG framework,
emphasising sustainability in logistics and how the sector
is leveraging technology to meet global trade demands.
As India strengthens its domestic supply chains and
positions itself as a global trade hub, the government, he
says, is focussed on creating a seamless, cost-effective,
and eco-friendly logistics ecosystem.
