Amit Maheshwari, CEO, Softlink Global shared his Indian Budget 2025 wishlist. He urges to increase budget allocation for digital infrastructure, allocation of funds for MMLPs, investment in last-mile connectivity, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, streamlining of regulatory processes and compliance for MSMEs, financial support for R&D in sustainable packaging and carbon-neutral supply chain practices, focus on reducing trade barriers to promote exports, and support for freight forwarders and exporters in securing affordable international shipping rates. “The Indian Budget 2025 has the potential to accelerate India’s logistics transformation and make the country a global leader in supply chain innovation. As the logistics industry continues to be the backbone of India’s economy, this wishlist aims to ensure sustained growth, global competitiveness, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders,” he added.

Arvind SmartSpaces (ASL) has signed an agreement for a large industrial park in Ahmedabad, with a total estimated area of 440 acre and a top-line potential of Rs. 1350Cr. This mega project is located on NH47, Bavla-Bagodara road, which is signed under joint development model (70.5per cent revenue share). It is located at a tri-junction that connects the project to Saurashtra region, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and key ports like Kandla, Mundra and Pipavav.  The project is also located close to Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and the upcoming Dholera Special Investment Region. There are several large industries in close vicinity which are focused on pharma, engineering, renewables, engineering, logistics and ancillaries. “We are excited to diversify our horizontal product mix in Ahmedabad and add a large industrial park to our portfolio. With this industrial plotted development, we have further augmented our horizontal portfolio and now have 77 msf of projects in the Ahmedabad region. Our business development initiatives are shaping up well and the cumulative new business development topline potential stands at more than Rs 3850 Cr for the current year to date,” Kamal Singal, Managing Director and CEO, Arvind Smartspaces, said.

To drive the growth in its global operations, Ethiopian Cargo has added a Boeing 777 freighter to its fleet. Ethiopian Airlines mentioned on LinkedIn post that the new 777 freighter carried humanitarian aid in its first flight. “Ethiopian Cargo is proud to expand its capacity and enhance its global operations with the addition of a new Boeing 777 Freighter Aircraft, ET-BA. This milestone strengthens our ability to serve global markets with increased efficiency and reliability, ensuring we meet the growing demand for air freight services worldwide. The new freighter will play a pivotal role in fortifying our extensive network and delivering unparalleled service to our customers. Its first flight carried humanitarian aid, exemplifying our commitment to making a meaningful impact in our corporate social responsibilities,” the post stated. The airlines serve 70 cargo and 140+ passengers destinations spread across Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia and America.

Vandana Singh, Director, Global Corporate Key Account Management, Saudia Cargo said, “The aviation industry is at a pivotal moment as we approach Budget 2025. With rising fuel costs and increasing regulatory demands, we expect the government to prioritise infrastructure development that enhances connectivity while keeping airfares affordable. Amidst an anticipated GDP growth of 6.4 per cent, this budget is an opportunity to balance fiscal responsibility with sustainable practices. We hope for initiatives that not only address immediate challenges but also pave the way for innovation in green technologies, ensuring the sector can thrive in a competitive global landscape.”

Subhasish Chakraborty, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director, DTDC Express said, “In Alignment with India’s ambitious goal of achieving a $7 trllion economy by 2030, the upcoming budget 2025 presents a valuable opportunity to address key challenges related to efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness. We encourage the government to priotise investments in infrastructure modernisation, particularly in the creation of smart logistics parks and multimodal transport networks that embrace sustainable practices. A strong emphasis on green logistics is essential, with incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles, biofuels, and IoT-enabled transport systems. We also look forward to the implementation of policies that create an equitable environment for all stakeholders, from large corporations to MSMEs. Such a strategy can promote inclusive growth across the industry.”

The Ministry of Finance has revealed that a total of 434 projects has been identified under the PM Gati Shakti Initiative, spanning three key economic corridor programmes boosting muti-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency, said official reports. The total cost involved in the projects will reach up to 11.17 lakh crores. The three major economic railway corridor programmes will include – energy, mineral and cement corridors (192), port connectivity corridors (42), and high traffic density corridors (200). All 434 projects are mapped on PM Gati Shakti portal. The detailed project report of 156 projects has already been prepared, out of which 68 projects have been sanctioned involving investments of Rs 1,11,663 Cr, and 88 projects with an estimated cost of Rs 2,25,301 Cr are under different stages of inter ministerial consultation.

  At the 11th PHDCCI Global Rail Convention, K Laxman, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & Member-Parliamentary Standing Committee, said “Indian Railways will play a transformative role in spearheading development and making India a $5 trillion economy.” The Theme of the convention was “Indian Railways – Journey towards Viksit Bharat through Innovation, Infrastructure, Investment & Industry Partnership”. Stating the achievements of Indian Railways, K. Laxman mentioned that Indian Railways has achieved 94% electrification. He also highlighted ambitious projects like Mumbai Bullet Trains, 4,000 Vande Bharat trains by 2047, and the allocation of ₹10-12 lakh crore for railway infrastructure in the next five years. “The present government is allocating sizeable budgets for the Railways which has led to the immense growth of Indian Railways, from technology advancement to sustainability and indigenisation, the Indian Railways has progressed commendably,” he added.

Sharing his expectations from the upcoming Union Budget, Madhusudan G, CMD, Sumadhura Group said, “The Indian warehousing & logistics industry is experiencing rapid expansion, as the demand for warehousing space is projected to reach 1.2 billion sq. ft by 2027. This growth will not only focus on quantity but also on the quality of warehouses, with Grade A facilities expected to increase from 290 million sq. ft in 2023 to 400 million sq. ft by 2027. The surge in demand is primarily driven by the rise of e-commerce and entrepreneurial ventures, with automation playing a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency. The government’s emphasis on infrastructure development, as reflected in the allocation of ₹11.11 lakh crore for economic growth and ₹26,000 crore for road connectivity in the previous year’s budget, will provide significant support for this transformation. Furthermore, the government’s commitment to promoting manufacturing, skill development, and improving the supply chain between cities will further benefit the warehousing sector, leading to increased competitiveness and employment opportunities. In addition to these initiatives, the reduction in customs duties and incentives for logistics parks will pave the way for innovative and cost-effective solutions, attracting more investments in warehousing infrastructure. As we look forward to the upcoming Union Budget, we hope that the government will continue to prioritize and support the development of the warehousing sector,” he added.      

Riege Software has launched its integration with CargoAi’s innovative Quote & Book API. This collaboration empowers Scope users to instantly search for rates and book air cargo shipments with over 117 airlines directly within the TMS, significantly streamlining operations for users. This partnership equips freight forwarders with a competitive edge, offering instant rate times, improved operational efficiency, and better service to their users. This strategic integration represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of airfreight, combining Riege’s robust TMS with CargoAi’s cutting-edge digital solutions. “Riege’s Scope is one of the most trusted TMS platforms in the industry, and we are excited to collaborate with them. Our Quote & Book API integration brings unmatched global airline access directly to Scope users, making their workflows smoother and more efficient,” Matt Petot, CEO, CargoAi, said.    

NDR InvIT Trust has completed the acquisition of Grade-A industrial and warehousing portfolio spread across the markets of Surat, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune. This strategic acquisition adds 2.01 million square feet of fully operational, high-quality assets to NDR InvIT’s growing portfolio, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to creating a scalable infrastructure footprint. The acquisition, valued at INR 706.1 Cr, is expected to deliver robust returns and includes properties with 100% occupancy, marquee tenants, and a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 15.4 years. The acquired warehousing portfolio, spreading across 2.01 MSF, include facilities in Surat (0.90 MSF), Hyderabad (0.40 MSF), Bengaluru (0.33 MSF), and Pune (0.39 MSF). “This acquisition marks a significant step in strengthening our portfolio. These strategic investments reaffirm our commitment to advancing the warehousing and industrial sectors while delivering long-term stable returns to our stakeholders. By expanding into key markets such as Surat and Hyderabad, we are well-positioned to address the rising demand for world-class industrial and logistics infrastructure,” Amrutesh Reddy, Director, NDR InvIT Managers, said.