India Boosts Logistics with New Multi-Modal Parks Plan

The Indian government is taking significant steps to improve the country’s logistics infrastructure. On Friday, it announced the promotion of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to expand Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) across the nation. This initiative aims to streamline logistics, reduce costs, and help India become a USD 5 trillion economy.

Key Figures Speak on the Initiative

At an event organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Sagar Kadu, Director of Logistics at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, emphasized the transformative potential of the PPP model. He said, “The PPP model is a game-changer for infrastructure, enhancing efficiency through collaboration and revenue sharing. With MMLPs, we address industry demands and support our economic goals by integrating logistics and reducing indirect costs.”

Karunakaran Sathianathan, Independent Director at National Highways Logistics Management Limited, also spoke at the event. He highlighted the significance of MMLPs in reducing logistics costs and fostering private sector participation. “The MMLP concept marks a pivotal step in reducing logistics costs by integrating transportation and providing efficient rail-road connectivity,” he noted.

Government’s Strategic Push

MMLPs is a key policy initiative led by National Highways Logistics Management Limited under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The initiative aims to develop Multi-Modal Logistics Parks in a hub-and-spoke model to improve the country’s freight logistics sector by lowering overall freight costs and time, cutting warehousing costs, reducing vehicular pollution and congestion, and improving the tracking and traceability of consignments.

Debmalya Banerjee, Regional Director of ICC, said, “The government’s strategic push for the MMLP initiative underscores its commitment to developing world-class logistics infrastructure. The integration of road and rail networks, coupled with value-added services, is expected to not only boost domestic trade but also enhance India’s export competitiveness.”