“Last Mile Connectivity will help lower down the Logistics Cost & bring in ease of doing business”, said Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India at PHDCCI’s “Gati se Pragati Conclave 2025”
July 4, 2025, New Delhi: “Gate se Pragati Conclave 2025” organized by PHDCCI today at Hotel Le Meridien witnessed highly informative and interactive sessions on how to integrate technology, bring cost effectiveness, and achieve social upliftment in the Logistics sector.
Inaugurating the Conclave, Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, emphasized that by bringing in the last mile connectivity, we can not only reduce the cost but also provide the ease of doing business. And once the connectivity reaches the remotest of towns and villages, social upliftment will automatically happen. A perfect example of this is the Chenab bridge, how it has connected the region with the rest of the country and the world, bringing with it the prosperity and upliftment for the entire region.
Further deliberating on this, he emphasized the importance of the “Vocal for Local” can truly succeed when backed by strong logistics infrastructure. In this context, the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan plays a crucial role by enabling seamless connectivity and reducing supply chain bottlenecks. Together, these efforts aim to empower local producers, boost district-level specialization, and help Indian products reach global markets efficiently – aligning with Hon’ble PM Modi ji’s vision.
Also, on this occasion, a knowledge report made by Grant Thorton & PHDCCI was released by the Hon’ble Minister.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Bhibhu Prasad Tarai, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & Member-Standing Committee on Industry Consultative & Member-Committee for Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, seamless connectivity in water, air and road is required to achieve the Viksit Bharat goals by 2047. Keeping in mind the inclusive development, Our Hon’ble PM has clearly mentioned important pillars to focus on, namely, Farmers, Youth and Women. And this can be only achieved if seamless connectivity is done in a proper way.
Shri Praveen Kumar, Managing Director, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL), underscored the pivotal role of Dedicated Freight Corridors in reshaping India’s logistics landscape. With over 96% of the DFC network commissioned, he emphasized their contribution to seamless connectivity, high-load capacity, and decongestion of passenger routes. He described the DFCs as the “spinal cord” of the nation’s transport system and highlighted the integration of advanced terminals, multimodal logistics parks, and safety innovations such as elimination of level crossings. He invited industry stakeholders to engage with DFCCIL’s world-class infrastructure and partner in driving sustainable and future-ready freight mobility.
Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Logistics, DPIIT, addressed the often-quoted figure of India’s logistics cost being 14% of the GDP, clarifying that there is a need of authentic data to substantiate this claim. He shared that a dedicated task force at DPIIT is conducting extensive field research to establish a more accurate estimate. Preliminary findings suggest the cost may be significantly lower, and a comprehensive, data-backed report will soon be released to guide informed policy and industry decisions.
Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, EDTC (Rates), Ministry of Railways, emphasized the critical relevance of conversations around infrastructure, transportation, logistics, and supply chain management, especially in light of India’s targets under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. He also acknowledged the role of academia, with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya developing the manpower required for the futuristic logistic sector. He further added the importance of such discourse in catalysing national progress and its potential to shape new concepts and the scope of logistics and the supply chain.
Shri Rudra Shriram, Chair, Defence and HLS Committee PHDCCI & Director, DCM Containers, reflected on his recent visit to one of the world’s largest transport logistics fairs in Europe, emphasizing the immense global scale and technological convergence shaping the logistics ecosystem. Sharing his insights as an infrastructure provider and one of India’s oldest container manufacturers, he underscored the urgent need for increased investment and strategic handholding under the PM Gati Shakti initiative. He emphasized the importance of synchronized infrastructure development and data-driven planning to reduce logistics costs and meet national freight movement goals. He called for greater synergy between government and industry to drive Atmanirbhar Bharat forward.
Shri Manoj Kumar Jain, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Logistics Committee and, MD, Deep Blue Express, shared an insightful industry perspective, emphasizing the logistics sector’s evolving role as a driver of inclusive development. He highlighted how digital technologies, automation, and data-driven systems are reshaping the industry’s foundations. Underscoring the need for agile transformation, he called for sustained investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure aligned with sustainability and social responsibility. He advocated for deeper public-private collaboration to unlock the full potential of India’s logistics networks and stressed the importance of inclusive hiring and upskilling. He reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to building a resilient and globally competitive Bharat.
The conclave ended on a very positive note with both the industry players and the government mapping the road to success in the Indian Logistics sector.
