The logistics sector is being given a leg up to support the sudden growth in e-commerce as well as the government’s Make in India initiative.
The Maharashtra Government, which is taking a lead in this initiative, has lined up plans to expedite an earlier programme to develop Nagpur, the central point of India, as a multi-modal logistics hub. The state government has also decided to set up an integrated logistics park near Mumbai.
“To support the Make in India’ initiative, we are coming up with an integrated logistic park at Bhiwandi, near Mumbai, on 2200 hectors of land. The plan is ready, and soon a state-of-the-art facility will come up to give a boost to the logistics sector,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said while addressing a three-day convention of Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) here.
“Nagpur is being developed as a multi-modal logistics hub as it is located at the centre of India. Aurangabad has also equal potential to emerge as a hub to cater to the requirement of e-commerce firms. Maharashtra is poised to play a vital role for the logistics sector, which will benefit the whole freight forwarding community,” he added. Addressing the conference Guruprasad Mohapatra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, said new routes must be developed for CIS countries which had emerged as major trade partners of India.
Bilateral trade“The bilateral trade between India and CIS region has increased from $8,346 million in 2010-11 to $11,054.million in 2014-15. FFFAI on behalf of Ministry of Commerce had conducted a successful dry run study on International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The activation of the corridor will help reduce dwell time and transaction costs by connecting India to Russia within 16-21 days at competitive freight rates leading to development of trade in the INSTC,” he said.
As India embarks on a massive manufacturing activity and is developing dedicated freight corroders as well as giving boost to inland waterways and coastal shipping, the freight forwarders, an important stakeholder in logistics industry, are gearing up to seize the opportunity.
“FFFAI is working actively to provide the requisite mindset, skill, technological roadmap and develop execution ability to handle the next growth curve in economy. This will help in reduction of transaction cost and provide efficient movement for manufactured products within & outside country,” said Amit Kamat, Honorary Secretary, FFFAI Convention.
