Need to reduce cost of logistics for making this sector atma nirbhar: Dr V K Saraswat 

New Delhi: We need to reduce the cost of the logistics sector, mentioned Dr. V K Saraswat (Padmabhushan), Member, NITI Aayog, Govt of India in the session by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on ‘How Logistics Will Contribute To Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.

Dr. V K Saraswat while giving a global perspective about the logistics sector mentioned that there will be tremendous growth in the logistics sector. In the Indian context, the logistic sector is estimated to grow at an optimistic rate. We are looking at automation of complete logistics and transportation processes through IoT and computer science.
 
While explaining the time frame in the shipment, he emphasized that there is a need to improve our on-time delivery to meet last-mile connectivity.
Talking about global trends, there is a need for environment-friendly logistics ensuring sustainability and eco-friendliness. We have a goal towards the sustainment logistics dimension that is driven by the economy, society, and environment.
 
India is an emerging market for domestic logistics, international logistics, and business fundamentals, said Dr. Saraswat.
While discussing the impact of the pandemic on the logistics sector leading to a slowdown in the sector, he discussed the challenges faced by the logistics sector and the need to improve these challenges to reduce the cost of logistics and human intervention in times to come. Technologically driven logistics by adopting new technologies can give a great solution and enhance logistic operations.

Logistics services need to have increase agility, credential stability, transparency, and speed. The supply chain needs to become a more resilient better ability to adjust and recover from future difficulties. A new surge in warehousing and demand especially, for temperature control warehousing space will be much better. We need to look at automation and robotics to make logistics more efficient and, greater efficient to the management of private warehouses said, Dr. V K Saraswat.
 
Mr. Pawan Kumar Agarwal, IAS, Special Secretary (Logistics), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India in his deliberation mentioned that Logistic Sector in one sector which limits government action, they are highly fragmented.
While addressing the challenges faced by the logistics sector, he discussed that looking for logistics from the lens of cost would be unfair. The government has made huge investments in infrastructure, with the support of the private sector. Warehousing and other facilities have largely been created by private companies.
 
Mr. Agarwal mentioned that we have quality infrastructure in place; we need to optimally use it to our advantage. The logistic sector requires joint efforts of the government at all levels along with simplification of the process across Ministries that will further enhance the potential of this sector.

Mr. Agarwal discussed that we need to have a good sense of providers, for which we need to put in place a process of registrations for the logistics sector. Formalization and standardization of this can help to bring trust and make this sector multi-modal. Digital technologies offer a lot of opportunities to bring in efficiency & to ensure the visibility of warehouses.
We can professionalize this sector by bringing in certification courses and democratize the logistics sector ensuring more efficient and effective, said Mr. Pawan Kumar Agarwal.
 
Mr. Pawanexh Kohli, Former CEO & Chief Advisor, National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) mentioned that Atma Nirbhar means self-determination and self-choice.
 
Mr. Kohli emphasized that logistics is the sole backbone sector that brings the fulfillment of division and ensures delivery. Logistics translates to being productive and, for which it’s essential to increase the efficiency of land, labor, and capital at the same time meet the immediate demand. Production needs to cater to the demand for the market for which we need organized logistics and helps to meet the supply.
 
Dr. D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential remarks deliberated about the importance of the logistics sector in achieving the goal towards an Atma Nirbhar Bharat ,in the coming years, for which we need to strengthen our local supply chain and being Vocal for Local.
 
India needs to be a trustworthy partner in this global supply chain and become manufacturing hub. We need to have ease of doing business in the place; reducing the cost of business, for which logistics plays a pivotal role, said Dr. D K Aggarwal.
 
Dr. Aggarwal discussed the need to have a strong logistics performance index that helps smoothen the process; maintain quality of trade and transport infrastructure; get competitive price shipments; ability to track and trace the shipment and be time-bound towards delivering the shipments. This index will help to minimize the gaps and help in making logistics multi-modal, aiding to lost mile connectivity.

He also discussed the challenges faced by the logistics sector along with the initiatives undertaken by the government that will be a game-changer in the industry.
 
Mr. Ramesh Agarwal, Chairman, Logistics Management Committee, PHD Chamber while giving an industry perspective, discussed the need for a reduction fixed logistics sector from the user and provider side.
 
Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General, PHD Chamber in his concluding remarks mentioned that a developed logistics sector will play a pivotal role in fulfilling our Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
 
The session was moderated by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Principal Director, PHD Chamber, and was attended by many industry stalwarts Pan-India.