India Advances Sustainable Logistics with New Digital Platforms and Policies

Key focus areas of NLP 2022 include the Sectoral Plan for Efficient Logistics (SPEL), which targets major economic sectors like Coal, Cement, Fertilizer, Steel, and Pharma.

On July 26, 2024, the Government of India highlighted its commitment to sustainable logistics and environmental well-being through various new initiatives and technological advancements. These efforts aim to boost economic growth while mitigating environmental impacts.

The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) is central to this initiative. It enhances industrial productivity by integrating multi-modal connectivity across highways, railways, ports, airports, and inland waterways. This holistic approach is designed to support sustainable economic activities and green logistics.

The National Logistics Policy (NLP 2022) is another significant step, focusing on modernization and digitalization. It promotes the adoption of technologies such as the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and Logistics Data Bank (LDB), developed by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC). These platforms enable digital tracking and monitoring of logistics movement, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable logistics ecosystem.

Key focus areas of NLP 2022 include the Sectoral Plan for Efficient Logistics (SPEL), which targets major economic sectors like Coal, Cement, Fertilizer, Steel, and Pharma. The plan emphasizes the need for multi-modal transport, digitalization, and automation. For instance, the recently launched Coal Logistics Plan advocates a shift towards a railway-based system for First Mile Connectivity, aiming to reduce air pollution, traffic congestion, and carbon emissions by approximately 100,000 tonnes annually, while also saving about 10% in average wagon turnaround time nationwide.

To further enhance sustainability, the government plans to increase Indian Railways' freight share from the current 35-36% to 45% by 2030. This goal will be supported by the National Rail Plan and the Rail Sagar Corridor program, which seeks to boost rail and port-based cargo and improve modal shifts towards railways. Additionally, the 'GatiShakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)' policy has been introduced to accelerate railway cargo traffic and promote cleaner freight movement.

The Freight Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Calculator has been developed to assess and compare transportation costs and GHG emissions across different modes. This tool aims to raise awareness and promote more sustainable logistics practices. Indian Railways is also offering "Rail Green Points" to its freight customers, highlighting potential carbon emission savings.

An E-Handbook on Warehousing Standards has been launched to promote best practices in warehouse space optimization, interoperability, and sustainability. The handbook provides guidelines for improving infrastructure, reducing costs, and attracting investment.

Digital platforms like PM GatiShakti and ULIP have revolutionized data-driven decision-making in logistics. ULIP integrates data from 37 systems across ten ministries through 118 APIs, covering over 1800 data fields, to facilitate secure access to logistics and resource information.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, shared these insights in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, underscoring the government's commitment to advancing sustainable logistics and leveraging digital technologies for enhanced efficiency and environmental stewardship.