Industry Leaders, Policymakers,
and Experts Converge to Drive Integrated Connectivity and Logistics
Transformation
The Indian Chamber of
Commerce (ICC) successfully concluded its high-profile conference, ‘Navigating
the Future: Multi-Modal Ecosystem in India’. This event, part of ICC’s
Centenary Celebrations, brought together top policymakers, industry leaders,
and technology pioneers.
The conference witnessed
participation from key dignitaries, including: Mr Rajesh Menon, Associate
Director & Maritime Expert, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
Government of India, Mr Kanishka Sethia, Chairman, National Logistics &
Supply Chain Committee, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) CEO, Western Carriers
(I) Ltd, Mr Arun Kumar Shrivastava, Member, Warehousing Development and Regulatory
Authority of India and Former MD, Central Warehousing Corporation, Mr Mohammad
Athar Saif, Co-Chair National Infrastructure & Construction Committee ICC
& Partner and Leader at Capital Projects and Infrastructure Group, PwC, Mr
Archit Agarwal, Chairman National Infrastructure & Construction Committee
& Director G R Infraprojects Limited.
With the PM Gati Shakti
National Master Plan as a focal point, discussions centred on boosting
infrastructure integration across rail, road, waterways, and airways, optimizing
supply chains, and harnessing digital innovation to revolutionise India’s
logistics sector. The event underscored the urgent need for a seamless,
cost-efficient, and technology-driven multi-modal transport framework to
enhance India's global competitiveness.
Highlighting the
transformative potential of a seamlessly connected transport ecosystem, ICC
President and Managing Director of Jindal Stainless, Mr Abhyuday Jindal said,
"A well-integrated multi-modal logistics framework is no longer an option
but a necessity for India's economic expansion. By bringing together
government, industry, and academia, we are laying the foundation for an
efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive transport
infrastructure."
ICC Director General, Dr
Rajeev Singh echoed this sentiment, emphasising the urgency of accelerated
infrastructure investments. “Today's deliberations have reinforced that
synchronised infrastructure development, combined with cutting-edge digital
solutions, will define the future of logistics in India. The time to act is
now," he remarked.
Key
Highlights from the Conference:
● Inaugural Session: Focused on the PM Gati Shakti initiative’s role
in driving cross-sector infrastructure synergies.
● Panel Discussions: Optimising Multi-Modal Connectivity: Examined
strategies for seamless integration of rail, road, ports, and aviation to
streamline logistics.
● Building for the Future: Explored investments in Multi-Modal
Logistics Parks, technology-driven efficiency, and last-mile connectivity
enhancements.
● Strategic Dialogues & Industry Collaboration: Leaders from
government bodies, logistics firms, and technology innovators exchanged
insights on unlocking new opportunities in India's supply chain sector.
Expert
Opinions from the Conference
Mr
Rajesh Menon, Associate Director & Maritime Expert, DPIIT, Ministry of
Commerce & Industry, Government of India, emphasised, "India
stands at a pivotal moment in its logistics and infrastructure transformation.
With the National Master Plan now cascading into District Master Plans, we are
eliminating bottlenecks by integrating land records and optimising multimodal
connectivity. The challenge ahead is not just policy formulation but effective
execution, where private sector participation will be instrumental. Maritime
trade, requires significant investment—addressed through initiatives like the
Maritime Development Fund. With robust policy frameworks, capital infusion, and
fast-tracked project execution, India is poised to redefine its logistics
landscape and achieve its economic ambitions.”
Mr
Kanishka Sethia, Chairman, National Logistics & Supply Chain Committee,
Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) CEO, Western Carriers (I) Ltd,
remarked, "The PM Gati Shakti Yojana is a game-changer in India’s
infrastructure and logistics landscape. By integrating multiple modes of
transport and leveraging digital planning tools, we are breaking silos and
driving efficiency like never before. This initiative is not just about
connectivity; it’s about unlocking India’s economic potential and achieving a
seamless supply chain ecosystem. As we move forward, the government and
industry collaboration will be key to realising the vision of a $20 trillion
economy by 2040."
Mr
Mohammad Athar, Co-Chair National Infrastructure & Construction Committee
ICC & Partner and Leader at Capital Projects and Infrastructure Group, PwC, expressed, "India is on an
accelerated growth trajectory, adding trillions to its GDP at an unprecedented
pace. The expansion of our manufacturing sector, the evolution of our cargo
profile, and the increasing integration with global trade underscore the
critical need for robust logistics infrastructure. Multimodal logistics parks,
backed by strong policy frameworks and private sector investments, will be
instrumental in reducing logistics costs and enhancing India's competitiveness.
As we strive to be a $1 trillion export economy and beyond, coordinated efforts
through initiatives like Gati Shakti and strategic public-private partnerships
will be key to unlocking India's full potential as a global manufacturing and
trade powerhouse."
Mr
Arun Kumar Shrivastava, Member, Warehousing Development and Regulatory
Authority of India and Former MD, Central Warehousing Corporation,
added, “The future of India's multimodal logistics ecosystem hinges on seamless
digital integration, strategic infrastructure development, and collaborative
efforts between stakeholders. With India's urban population set to rise and
logistics demands growing, we must invest in digital infrastructure, real-time
tracking, and multimodal connectivity to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Rail-side warehousing, commodity-specific MMLPs, and incentivized land
allocation for private players can be game changers in optimizing freight
movement. By leveraging technology and integrating with major transport
networks, we can build a world-class logistics framework that strengthens
India's global competitiveness and economic resilience."
Mr
Archit Agarwal, Chairman National Infrastructure & Construction Committee
& Director G R Infraprojects Limited opined, “The PM Gati
Shakti National Master Plan is a testament to the government's commitment to
fostering a robust multimodal infrastructure. The private sector's active
participation in multimodal logistics will be the key to achieving our shared
goal of reducing logistic costs and boosting India's economy. As we chart the
path forward, I firmly believe that public-private partnerships will play a
pivotal role in making the PM Gati Shakti vision a reality.”
The conference concluded
with a strong consensus on the need for policy coherence, private sector
participation, and digitalisation to propel India's logistics and transport
sectors into a new era of efficiency. ICC remains committed to fostering
collaboration among stakeholders to drive India’s multi-modal transportation
agenda forward.
