As 2024 ends, India’s logistics sector thrives on growth, innovation, and sustainability, shaping a promising future for 2025.
As 2024 comes to a close, India’s logistics and transportation sector stands at a pivotal juncture. The year has been marked by significant strides in infrastructure development, policy advancements, and technological integration, paving the way for a more connected and efficient future. With initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the National Logistics Policy, and breakthroughs in green logistics and drone technology, the industry has set the stage for innovation and sustainability. These transformative efforts are not just about meeting the demands of today but are laying the groundwork for India’s ambition to become a $5 trillion economy by 2027.
As we step into 2025, the focus sharpens on smarter solutions, deeper collaboration, and sustainable practices to tackle emerging challenges and harness global opportunities. We’ve gathered insights from some industry leaders, sharing their perspectives on the path forward for India’s logistics and transportation sector.
“India’s Transportation and Logistics sector acts as the backbone to support the fast-paced growth of the country in becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2027. With the framework of National Logistics Policy, Gati Shakti, National Rail Plan, Bharatmala and other new initiatives implemented by the government, the industry would continue to move on the path to become technologically smarter and efficient. In the coming year, we anticipate enhanced collaboration between human and technology to provide solutions that will cater to the rising consumer demands for faster and reliable deliveries. Along with this, the industry will witness setting up of more hyperlocal and transhipment hubs to fulfil this surge in requirement.
The government’s initiatives towards establishing new multimodal parks, developing dedicated freight corridors and revamping the shipping infrastructure would further support the growth of the industry. Adopting eco-friendly solutions would be the cornerstone for a scalable and sustainable growth of the sector. Another critical aspect that requires industry’s focus is reducing the number of road accidents by integrating technology and providing road safety trainings to the drivers.
As we move towards 2025 and beyond, our goal is to realize India’s vision of a sustainably and technologically advanced country. Together, we aim to strengthen India’s position as a global logistics hub and contribute to the industry’s development at home and globally.”
“The year 2024 has been nothing but transformative for the logistics sector. It has been defined by evolving customer expectations, rise of e-commerce, enhanced digitalisation and growing focus on sustainability. While the global logistics have faced unprecedented challenges, India has taken initial steps towards creating a conducive environment for the sector to thrive in the long-term.
Key policies like the National Cold Chain Infrastructure Project (NCCIP) and the PM Gati Shakti initiative have been instrumental in optimising costs and streamlining operations, exemplified by the laying down of 8,891 km of roads and 27,000 km of railway lines. They have empowered industry players to optimise efficiency, provide unparalleled value to our patronage, and nurture continuous transformation.
As we step in to 2025, we foresee a deeper integration of AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation, driving a profound transformation in sector-wide efficiency. We believe that adopting green logistics solutions, will enhance our sector’s sustainability.”
“2024 has been transformative for India’s drone industry, showcasing Bharat’s immense potential as a land of opportunities. With remarkable advancements in policy, innovation, and sector-wide adoption, the industry has grown exponentially, impacting logistics, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure. In a groundbreaking development, Gurugram became the first metropolitan in the world to adopt drone-based delivery in daily life, enabling residents to receive anything and everything within minutes. Milestones like drone-based mail delivery in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and AIIMS medical supply chains further highlight the sector’s ability to enhance accessibility and efficiency.
As we move into 2025, the momentum will only grow stronger, with drones becoming increasingly integrated into mainstream operations. The focus on scaling networks, boosting payload capacities, and driving cost efficiencies will unlock new opportunities in quick-commerce, urban air mobility, and sustainability. Initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and continued investments in R&D and skill development will further solidify India’s ambition to become a global drone hub by 2030. The future holds incredible promise as drones address real-world challenges, from reducing urban congestion to minimizing carbon footprints, propelling Bharat toward a technology-driven, sustainable tomorrow.”
“This year marks a pivotal moment for the logistics landscape in India. The sector has witnessed remarkable advancements in infrastructure, driven by substantial investments that have enhanced the robustness and efficiency of operations. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan has played a crucial role in improving multimodal and last-mile connectivity while reducing logistics costs. The booming e-commerce industry has spurred significant growth in the express logistics segment, while warehousing demands have surged in key markets nationwide.
Innovative last-mile delivery solutions, including drones and advanced tracking systems, are transforming the industry. Additionally, initiatives like LEEP are optimising efficiency and fostering a world-class logistics ecosystem. From strategic government programs to global trade partnerships, 2024 has laid a strong foundation for sustained growth and innovation in the coming years. Sustainable development is poised to define the future of logistics, empowering us to meet economic needs while safeguarding the planet for future generations through collaborative efforts and forward-thinking innovation.
The push for digitization in logistics and the emphasis on reducing logistics costs to GDP have provided an enabling environment for businesses like ours to thrive and innovate. To achieve the ambitious goal of boosting India’s merchandise exports to $1 trillion by 2030, small, and medium enterprises must have greater access to cross-border trade opportunities. Streamlining the ease of doing business will be a key factor in enabling their success on the global stage.”
“As we look towards 2025, the shipbuilding sector is set for a year of transformation, driven by advancements in infrastructure and sustainability. New Government initiatives and improved budgetary allocations for ports and shipyards could be game changers, showcasing a clear vision for a robust maritime economy. The announcement of India’s Maritime Development Fund (MDF) for long-term indigenous manufacturing projects and the anticipated Shipbuilding Subsidy (SBS) Policy 2.0 could further strengthen the ecosystem, encouraging greater self-reliance and competitiveness.
These efforts, coupled with infrastructure improvements such as better connectivity to major trade routes and enhanced port facilities, are creating more opportunities for local shipyards to compete on the global stage. We can expect continued growth in shipyards, with more investments in modernizing facilities and expanding capacity to meet the increasing global demand for ships. We foresee a stronger focus on green technologies, such as hybrid and energy-efficient propulsion systems, as the industry works to meet environmental goals and reduce carbon footprints.”
