Category Archives: Warehousing

According to the fourth LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2022 report unveiled by the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are among the 15 States and Union Territories categorised as achievers in the logistics index chart 2022. The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth. “Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura are the other States categorised as fast movers in the ranking. The 15 States and UTs ranked in the aspirers category include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh. The other States and UTs which are in the achievers category include Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand,” the report stated. The report ranks the States on the basis of their logistics ecosystem, highlights the key logistics-related challenges faced by the stakeholders and includes suggestive recommendations. The index aims at enhancing the focus on improving logistics performance across states which is essential for improving the country’s trade and reducing transaction cost.

Warehousing activities in the national capital will soon become operational round the clock as the Delhi government has issued a draft notification in this regard and invited suggestions and objections on the move from the stakeholders within 15 days from the publication of the notice. According to official reports, the move comes after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena last week approved applications of more than 300 establishments, including online shopping and delivery shops, hotels, restaurants, and transport facilities and warehouses to operate round the clock. He also stressed on the inordinate delay, adhocism, randomness and unjustified discretion on part of the labour department in disposing of applications made by the firms for these exemptions. Delhi labour department also recently uploaded a draft notification exempting warehouses from sections 15 and 16 of Delhi Shops and Establishment Act 1954 which will pave the way for round-the-clock operation of such establishments.

Arif A Siddiqui, Vice President, Warehousing Association of India (WAI) and Founder & Director Coign Consulting shares his views on the National Logistics Policy, he says, “National Logistics Policy will help to develop a technologically enabled, integrated, cost efficient, resilient, sustainable and trusted logistics ecosystem in the country for accelerated and inclusive growth.” He adds, “This vision will be achieved by integrating the modes of transport, optimizing and utilizing logistics infrastructure, standardizing processes and service quality, modernizing technology and upgradation of infrastructure and formalization to reduce fragmentation in the sector. This will reduce cost of logistics in the country, improve Logistics Performance Index (LPI) and create data driven decision support mechanism for an efficient logistics ecosystem. One of the strategies close to me for achieving the above objectives will be to enable the development of comprehensive world class warehouse infrastructure that will facilitate the improvement in efficiency, productivity and service quality by standardization of specifications and use of technology, automation and digitization of the operations. On the other hand development of a robust framework for logistics parks to streamline approval processes to facilitate investments.”

V-Trans (India) Ltd, a preferred single window logistics solution provider accelerates its growth as it expands its footprint in North India with the opening of eight offices, with a deeper penetration in business verticals. The eight new offices are in Varanasi, Sitapur, Noida, Sikandrabad (UP), Delhi, Gurgaon, Ajmer, and Ratangarh. The new branches are launched considering the influx in demand for logistics solutions and our best offerings in this region. V-Trans is enabled with best-in-the-business infrastructure and has presence across the nation having more than 850 branches, fleet strength of over 1500 advanced trucks with track and trace facility. Mahendra Shah, Chairman and Managing Director, V-Trans (India) Ltd, said, “We are proud to announce our robust growth in the North Zone of our country with 8 new branches. One of the key accomplishments for every logistics organization is the strength of the infrastructure and expanding network, and we want to continue reaching such milestones in the future. The North region is one of the most significant markets for us. We have expanded our network rapidly for past few years in this region and aim to continue the same. There are various clients looking for logistics solutions and our offerings are apt to fit the gap.” Further he added, “Our IT-enabled infrastructure helps us to provide the best services to our customers. We have established a widespread network of branches across India that caters to delivering the needs of growing industries. Our effectiveness and experience in handling and delivering various industry products make us a viable choice for all industries.”

Multimodal connectivity with the hinterland is one of the key focus areas which needs to be addressed in order to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo, said Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Civil Aviation at an event organised by the Foundation for Aviation and Sustainable Tourism on Challenges and Opportunities for Air Cargo for the Decade Ahead today. He added, “We should also address sustainability as an important subject for both aviation and cargo. For this we need to have strong Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) ecosystem, aircraft manufacturing facilities and equipment, we also need to have leasing capability in the country. Another emerging area is cargo drones – which are set to grow exponentially in the coming years. To achieve this, the industry needs to move forward at fast speed keeping in mind changed consumer behaviour which has changed drastically in the last few years. That’s one of the biggest challenges. I feel, PM’s Gati Shakti Master Plan is the ultimate solution for all the issues and will definitely boost growth of the sector.”

With the National Master Plan for Multimodal connectivity in place, Ahmedabad-headquartered Adani Group is set to give momentum to its logistic business by commissioning six more multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) in the next two years across five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Telangana, says reports. “Adani Group is already operating as many as five MMLPs in different parts of the country. We are in the process to commission six more parks – two in Gujarat (Sanand and Ankleshwar), one each at Dadri in UP, Panipat in Haryana, near Rajasthan capital Jaipur and Hyderabad. PM Gati Shakti – Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity would help us to implement these projects on fast-forward mode,” said Vikram Jaisinghani, managing director and CEO of Adani Logistics (ALL), in reports.

National Logistics Policy recently launched by the Hon’ble PM is beyond just being a paper policy. It is a call for action! Action by one & all for an India standing tall and taking its rightful place as the leading economic powerhouse of the World, shares Rajesh Lal, Honorary Treasurer, Warehousing Association of India (WAI). Beyond vision statement, objectives clearly stated, targets laid down, strategy identified to achieving targets, robust monitoring & co-ordination and a comprehensive implementation plan to key action areas, it is the openness approach to identifying problems faced, including within ministries, which truly sets NLP 2022 apart. NLP 2022 is not the end but means to an end. An underlying objective, the most critical one which needed to be addressed, is the stress laid on teamwork. It strives to create a framework for cohesive working where all stakeholders, including different ministries/departments, align themselves and work together, as one and not in silos. A single online portal (ULIP) seeks to ease doing business in logistics sector. Digital integration of different systems of seven different departments will be undertaken (IDS). The eagerness to hear in a transparent manner and address issues faced by user industry (E-LogS) is commendable. Service Improvement Group (SIG) is to be formed to monitor projects and resolve issues timely. A laudable target is to develop an action plan to address human resource challenges. Warehousing, identified as distinct for improvement, is a welcome step. It is capital intensive and with numerous issues faced, setup and operational, needs special focus for India to attract much needed private investment, improve overall efficiency and reduce costs. It is now for us to take inspiration from the clarion call by …

According to a recently published report by Allied Market Research, titled, “Warehousing and Distribution Logistics Market by End Use (Healthcare, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Telecommunication, Government and Public Utilities, Banking and Financial Services, Retail, Media and Entertainment, Trade and Transportation, and Others), rise in acceptance of multimodal transport system and surge in penetration of e-commerce tools across the globe will boost the growth of the global warehousing and distribution logistics market. Furthermore, breakthroughs in last-mile delivery mechanism in retail & e-commerce sector will boost the global market trends. Nevertheless, lack of control of logistics manufacturers on service delivery of logistics can impede the growth of the global market. The report also suggests, the global automotive Ethernet industry was estimated at $12,019 billion in 2021, and is set to reach $25,788.7 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2022 to 2031.

Allcargo Group has launched Logistics Park in Malur, Karnataka. The state-of-the-art logistics and warehousing park is now fully occupied, further accelerating economic growth and infrastructure development in Karnataka. With this park, Allcargo will further complement Karnataka to become a logistics hub that seamlessly connects India to the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, making the state a desired destination for big businesses. The park is creating employment opportunities directly on-site, by creating over 5500 jobs. The park will also act as a strategic warehousing destination, thanks to the increasing interest of businesses in Karnataka. The government’s National Logistics policy and the PM Gati Shakti plan has been looking to solidify first and last mile connectivity, both for commercial and other purposes. This gives a boost to Karnataka as a desired business hub, and Allcargo’s logistics park can provide businesses with the right infrastructure and digital tools to make their business profitable and transform their supply chain. Furthermore, it can connect businesses to the rest of India with increasing ease.

Chetak Group has inaugurated its first Green warehouse in Pune. The warehouse, which adds to the over two million warehousing capacity, was inaugurated by Chetak Group’s Directors Mukesh and Rajesh Haritash, in the presence of guests from Tata Motors and other prominent clients. The warehouse will serve all vendors of Tata Motors. Mukesh Haritash, Director, Chetak Logistics said, “We are happy to inaugurate first Green and Happy Warehouse in Pune. This is a result of the inspiration we derived from our father, late Jai Karan Sharma, Founder, Chetak Group. We dedicate the warehouse to him and pledge to take forward his vision of serving the customers with the quality product offerings. The warehouse, measuring one lakh sq. ft., adds to 2 million sq. ft., warehousing space offered by the Chetak Group across India.” The new Green warehouse at Pune offers many firsts such as solar power energy, environmentally friendly last mile delivery, unique facilities for employees, safety measures and smart material handling.