“The industry looks to the budget to propel the Indian logistics sector towards enhanced efficiency, competitiveness…”

“The logistics industry is anticipating further focus on dedicated corridors for ports and railways. We have already witnessed the remarkable change this initiative has brought to transportation costs within the country, and we anticipate it will remain a significant focus in the current term as well. Looking ahead, we foresee a considerable reduction in costs—between 15% to 20%—as more projects are completed and operational efficiencies increase. Additionally, the industry needs a tech boost, leveraging AI to streamline customs, improvise warehousing, and optimise every facet of the supply chain. The Department of Science & Technology’s implementation of the multi-stakeholder National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) is pivotal in making India a leading player in CPS technologies. Continued efforts and investments in this area are crucial. Finally, the budget must orchestrate collaboration between various stakeholders—ports, railways, airlines, and e-commerce giants—through public-private partnerships and an inter-ministerial task force. The industry looks to the budget to propel the Indian logistics sector towards enhanced efficiency, competitiveness, and ultimately, shared prosperity for all.”