National Logistics Policy to be unveiled next month

The long-awaited National Logistics Policy, which will enable a framework for integrated development of logistics sector in the country will be unveiled by PM Modi next month, revealed a senior official of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The policy formulation at the national level has been completed and 12 states have formed their own logistics policy, which include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, said Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary, Dept for Promotion of industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. “Unless there are policy frameworks, framing regulations and bringing standardisation is difficult,” said Meena. Adding that when review of PM Gati Shakti Master Plan was taken in January, there were only three states which had their own warehousing and logistics policy, this number has now increased to 12 states, and remaining states are expected to frame their policy soon. The draft national logistics policy was released for industry comments in 2019. Specific features of the policy include development of commodity specific logistics infrastructure, development of logistics corridors connecting major clusters, creation of data and analytics centres for monitoring of key logistics metrics as well as centre for trade facilitation. A Logistics Wing has been created under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry which will work on integrated development of logistics sector.