India’s logistics sector is a cornerstone of the nation’s economic and industrial progress. From enabling trade and commerce to ensuring last-mile delivery across remote regions, logistics plays an essential role in connecting the country. Yet, despite its vast impact, India does not currently have a dedicated Logistics Day to acknowledge the contribution of this critical industry.

As the logistics landscape undergoes a significant transformation — driven by digital innovation, multimodal integration, and sustainable practices — the time is right for India to officially recognize the sector with a National Day of Observance. We at TCI are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, drawing on over six decades of experience to lead India’s logistics sector with trust, innovation, and reliability

A Growing Sector with National Significance

a) Historical Growth Aligned with Economic Expansion

India’s logistics sector has consistently grown at around 1.5 times the rate of GDP, supported by rising consumption, trade, and industrial activity. This correlation underscores how integral logistics is to the country’s economic journey.

b) A Promising Future Ahead

Over the next decade, India’s logistics industry is expected to experience sustained growth, driven by:
•    The rise of quick commerce and fast fulfilment models
•    Increasing demand across e-commerce, FMCG and organized retail
•    The China+1 strategy, which positions India as a manufacturing alternative
•    Government-led infrastructure initiatives, including Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy (NLP)

TCI’s Forward-Looking Strategy for a New Era in Logistics

At TCI, our pioneering spirit drives us to proactively evolve in step with the changing needs of the logistics industry

a) Multimodal Logistics Expansion

Multimodal transport — integrating road, rail and coastal shipping — now contributes over one-third of TCI’s revenues. This shift improves cost efficiency and environmental impact while reducing dependence on traditional trucking.

b) Strategic Growth Areas

TCI is also focusing on:
•    Modern warehousing: With integrated, tech-enabled facilities
•    Cold chain logistics: Serving the pharmaceutical, food and agriculture sectors
•    Specialized solutions: Tailored for high-value and industry-specific needs
•    Digitization: Leveraging AI, ML and automation across operations

Addressing India's Logistics Cost Challenge

a) Current Landscape
India’s logistics cost is estimated at 11–13% of GDP, significantly higher than global benchmarks (8–9% in countries like Germany and Japan). This cost difference affects India’s global trade competitiveness.

b) Contributing Factors
•    Heavy reliance on road transport
•    Limited use of rail and coastal shipping
•    Operational inefficiencies in loading, warehousing, and freight movement
•    Slow freight speeds (rail averages only 20 km/h)
•    Lack of standardization in containers and handling systems
•    Incomplete digitization

Solutions through Policy and Industry Action

Efforts to reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency are already underway through both government policy and industry participation:

a) Shifting to Multimodal Transport
Encouraging the use of rail and coastal shipping helps reduce congestion and costs.

b) Enhancing Productivity
Improvements are needed in:
•    Truck turnaround time
•    Port and terminal throughput
•    Rail freight scheduling and reliability

c) Promoting Standardization
Uniform trucks, containers and pallets facilitate smoother operations and international interoperability.

d) Accelerating Digitization
Digital platforms are being developed for:
•    Real-time tracking
•    Electronic documentation
•    Predictive logistics

TCI is actively collaborating with stakeholders to integrate these technologies into daily operations.

India on the Global Stage: Logistics Performance Index

India has made commendable progress in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), currently ranking 38th globally. While this reflects a positive trajectory, further improvement is needed in areas like infrastructure, customs processes, and digital reliability to compete with leading logistics nations such as Germany, Singapore and the Netherlands.

Why India Should Have a National Logistics Day?

India’s logistics sector plays a critical role in keeping the economy moving, yet it remains largely uncelebrated. A National Logistics Day would offer well-deserved recognition to the millions of professionals who power supply chains across the country. It would also raise public awareness, promote innovation and skill development, and highlight logistics as a promising career path for the youth. Most importantly, it would reinforce India’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and sustainable logistics ecosystem — a vision that we at TCI proudly support.

TCI’s Commitment to a Smarter, Greener Future

As a leader in the industry, TCI is deeply committed to building efficient, future-ready and environmentally responsible logistics solutions. Our initiatives span:

•    Green fleets using LNG and electric vehicles
•    Energy-efficient warehouses and renewable energy integration
•    Digital transformation to improve accuracy, transparency, and customer satisfaction

We believe that the sector deserves recognition not only for its economic contribution but also for its role in shaping a more connected and sustainable India.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Celebrate Logistics

It is time to come together — as industry, government and citizens — to recognize the vital role logistics plays in our economy and daily lives. Establishing a National Logistics Day would be a powerful step in that direction.
Let us celebrate the progress made, reflect on the road ahead and honor the professionals who keep India moving — from first mile to last.