CARGOCONNECT-JUNE2026 - Flipbook - Page 60
SPECIAL FEATURE : MEGA LOGISTICS CLUSTERS
21.47
crore sq ft
stock across dominant
hubs by Q1 2026
The transition from
isolated real-estate
storage assets to
fully integrated
multimodal logistics
engines will depend
on resolving these
last-mile infrastructure
and coordination
bottlenecks.
SOUMIK DUTTA
HEAD OF MARKETING &
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,
APEEJAY REAL ESTATE
broader economic and industrial expansion happening
across India. Going forward, Sumisławski notes, there
will be increasing focus on larger, integrated logistics
parks that o昀昀er scalability, sustainability, and proximity
to key transportation networks. He further adds that
growing participation from Real Estate Investment
Trust (REITs) and institutional private equity has
already brought greater transparency and liquidity to
the sector, signi昀椀cantly reinforcing its credentials as
a credible, long-term asset class.
However, the long-term success of this corridor-led,
velocity-driven logistics architecture will ultimately
depend on how effectively macro policy translates
into seamless ground-level execution. While master
plans look robust on paper, bridging the gap between
legislative intent and operational implementation remains
the next critical frontier for India’s logistics landscape.
Examining this transition through a pragmatic
lens, Dutta underscores that while macro frameworks
like the NLP and PM Gati Shakti provide an exceptional foundation, real-world execution still faces clear
structural friction points. On-the-ground challenges
60 | CARGOCONNECT JUNE 2026
such as delays in land acquisition, fragmented rail
connectivity, and varying state-level regulatory policies frameworks frequently slow the pace of genuine
multimodal integration.
Dutta further points out that for Multi-Modal
Logistics Parks (MMLPs) to evolve beyond mere “logistics
optics” and function as true ecosystem enablers, the
industry must address the larger challenge of interagency synchronisation. Shippers will not realign their
supply chains on policy intent alone; they require a
compelling value proposition centred on predictability,
transit reliability, and end-to-end visibility. Ultimately,
the transition from isolated real-estate storage assets
to fully integrated multimodal logistics engines will
depend on resolving these last-mile infrastructure and
coordination bottlenecks.
Simultaneously, as developers and occupiers look to
anchor their long-term networks within these emerging
corridors, asset selection criteria are expanding well
beyond basic connectivity to include stringent sustainability metrics. Incorporating long-term resilience
into the execution blueprint, Sumisławski highlights
that sustainability targets are no longer a peripheral
corporate preference but a core driver of modern
network design. Occupiers are increasingly aligning
their physical footprints with global ESG commitments,
signi昀椀cantly boosting the demand for green-certi昀椀ed
logistics assets.
Approaching development through the framework
of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Sumisławski explains
that while integrating energy-e昀케cient systems and
IGBC-certi昀椀ed speci昀椀cations may moderately raise initial
capital expenditure, such investments substantially
optimise long-term operational expenses. In essence, he
quotes, green warehousing lowers lifecycle utility costs,
strengthens compliance outcomes, and preserves longterm asset value, making sustainability a foundational
pillar of future-ready supply chains.
To conclude, as institutional capital continues backing
high-speci昀椀cation developments, India’s increasingly
synchronised warehousing ecosystem appears wellpositioned to emerge as the high-velocity engine powering
the country’s next phase of economic growth. Moreover,
by proactively addressing execution bottlenecks, aligning
with global green-building standards, and balancing
hyperlocal q-com nodes with expansive multimodal
corridors, India is steadily constructing a far more
resilient and future-ready commercial backbone.
