Eastern India's Logistics Boom: Gateway to Growth

Eastern India is becoming a key player in last-mile delivery, bolstered by infrastructure upgrades and growing e-commerce. National highway expansion, enhanced rural connectivity, and regional airport developments are key drivers. Tier III cities now contribute significantly to e-commerce shipments, highlighting the region's evolving logistics landscape.

Eastern India is rapidly positioning itself as a vital corridor for last-mile delivery, spurred by substantial infrastructure development, increasing urban consumption, and a surge in e-commerce activity, according to a new industry report.

The Express Industry Council of India (EICI) alongside KPMG highlights that enhanced national highway connectivity, improved rural road networks, and expanded air cargo capacities are significantly boosting logistics operations in states like West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar.

With national highways growing from 91,000 km in FY'14 to 1,45,000 km by mid-2024, and the rural road network surpassing 7,33,000 km, these advancements are facilitating deeper penetration into rural and semi-urban areas. Additionally, the development of airport infrastructure, particularly in Tier II and Tier III cities, has increased the cargo share from non-metro airports significantly.

(With inputs from agencies.)