FICCI-GT Knowledge Report Launch on “Transforming India's Logistics Ecosystem - Warehousing, Cold Chain and Role of Technology”
The FICCI–Grant Thornton Bharat Knowledge Report on Transforming India’s Logistics Ecosystem: Warehousing, Cold Chain and Role of Technology (2026) highlights the structural transformation underway in India’s logistics sector, driven by rising consumption, manufacturing expansion, and e-commerce growth. It underscores the importance of modern warehousing, reliable cold chain networks, and digital integration through platforms like ULIP, alongside multimodal connectivity enabled by PM GatiShakti and Dedicated Freight Corridors. The report notes that India hosts over 10,800 registered warehouses and 8,815 cold storages with a combined capacity of 402.18 lakh MT, yet challenges persist in fragmented infrastructure, limited automation, and inadequate temperature-controlled facilities. Government initiatives such as PMKSY, AIF, and Operation Greens are accelerating packhouse creation and scientific post-harvest handling, while budgetary allocations of INR 12.2 lakh crore for logistics and warehousing reflect strong policy support. The report emphasizes the role of emerging technologies—AI-driven forecasting, IoT-enabled monitoring, robotics, and clean-energy cold chain solutions—in improving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. It also stresses the need for integrated ecosystems where data flows seamlessly, multimodal choices are viable, and cold chain integrity is maintained end-to-end. By aligning infrastructure modernisation with technology adoption and policy reforms, India can reduce logistics costs to global benchmarks, strengthen supply chain resilience, and position itself as a leader in climate-smart, digitally enabled logistics solutions for the Global South.
Key Takeaways
- India’s logistics sector is undergoing structural transformation driven by consumption growth, manufacturing expansion, and e-commerce demand
- Warehousing and cold chain are central to reducing logistics costs, improving resilience, and supporting farm-to-port and plant-to-pharmacy supply chains
- India hosts over 10,800 registered warehouses and 8,815 cold storages with a combined capacity of 402.18 lakh MT, yet infrastructure gaps and fragmentation persist
- Post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables remain high due to inadequate cold chain and limited pre-cooling facilities
- Government initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, National Logistics Policy, PMKSY, AIF, and Operation Greens are accelerating integrated infrastructure development
- Logistics costs have already reduced to 7.8–8.9% of GDP, moving closer to global benchmarks of 8–9%
- Emerging technologies like AI-driven forecasting, IoT-enabled monitoring, robotics, digital twins, and clean-energy cold chain solutions are reshaping efficiency and sustainability
- ULIP integrates 45 systems across 11 ministries, addressing digital fragmentation and enabling real-time visibility across multimodal corridors
- Automation uptake in warehousing remains limited, highlighting the need for modernisation and smart operations
- Cold chain modernisation through IoT monitoring, solar-powered cold rooms, and electric reefer trucks is critical for reducing spoilage and improving reliability
- Strategic alignment of multimodal logistics parks, dedicated freight corridors, and port modernisation will strengthen India’s competitiveness in global value chains
- The report positions logistics as strategic economic infrastructure, essential for manufacturing competitiveness, agricultural value addition, export growth, and inclusive development